With its dense growth and lush green leaves that stick around all year, the Lily of the Valley shrub (also known as Pieris) is a fantastic choice for a privacy hedge. But before you start digging, you’ll want to make sure you’re giving this beauty the right spot and the proper TLC. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your Pieris happy and healthy.
Why You’ll Love a Pieris Hedge
If you’re looking for a great garden hedge, here’s why the Lily of the Valley shrub should be on your radar:
- Evergreen (privacy all year long!)
- Thick, dense growth
- Handles pruning like a champ
- Very little leaf litter
- Low maintenance thanks to its slow growth rate
- Perfect for those tricky shady spots
- Hardy enough to survive the winter
Planting Your Pieris Hedge
The Lily of the Valley shrub makes for an excellent, opaque screen. However, to get the best results, you’ll want to make sure your site hits these marks:
The Perfect Spot
This shrub thrives in partial to full shade. In fact, it’s actually pretty sensitive to direct winter sun and chilly drafts. While you might get fewer flowers in a darker spot, the trade-off is worth it: the foliage grows much denser in the shade.
Pro Tip: Here’s a good rule of thumb—if you’re planting Pieris as a standalone “specimen” plant, it needs light to produce those iconic blooms. But if you want a thick, leafy hedge for privacy, keep it in the shade.
Soil Requirements
To keep your hedge happy, aim for soil that is:
- Consistently moist
- Rich in humus (organic matter)
- Low in nutrients
- Well-draining
Getting Them in the Ground
The best time to plant your hedge is in late summer, around August or September. This gives the shrubs plenty of time to establish their roots before the first frost hits. Space your plants at least 20 inches (50 cm) apart; they’ll fill in the gaps and knit together into a solid hedge before you know it.
Maintenance and Care
To keep your hedge looking sharp, you’ll need to do a little light pruning now and then. This is the time to clear out any dead wood or branches growing in wonky directions.
Good to know: Unlike many other hedge plants that get a haircut in spring or fall, the Lily of the Valley shrub prefers a mid-summer trim (June or July), even if it’s still blooming.
Here’s how to do it right:
- Wear long sleeves and gloves! Pieris is toxic, so you’ll want to protect your skin.
- Use sharp, sterilized tools for clean cuts.
- Thin out the branches rather than doing a massive chop.
- Avoid cutting it back too aggressively.
Pro Tip: Even though it’s a slow grower, a light annual pruning is the secret to keeping your hedge looking its best year after year.
