Pieris japonica 'Passion'

Pendulous clusters of bright-red, tipped-white flowers in spring grace this handsomely branched 4-5't x 2-3'w glossy, disease-resistant evergreen in spring. PSh/M PP19319

Andromedas (or Pieris) provide some of the earliest landscape color around, and the breeders have been hard at work selecting for bright deep color as an alternative to the usual white. 'Passion' has deep pink flowers and green leaves which are evergreen. (Another selection, Passion Frost 'Ralto' has variegated leaves. Yes, it is confusing!) The secret to happy Pieris is shade and just the right amount of moisture- they, like their rhododendron relatives do not like wet feet, and also not too dry either. That's why I think of them as a "Goldilocks" plant- they like it not too wet, not too dry, but just right! If you prune off the dead flowers after they bloom, the plant will put it's energy into growth, not seed production. it's work, but also it's a neater-looking plant..