Side by side
Photinia or Japanese pieris? How to tell them apart
Photinia · Pieris japonica
How to tell them apart – photinia: also red young shoots, but larger leaves and white flower heads, not fussy about soil; Japanese pieris: evergreen shrub with rosettes of glossy leaves, red young shoots and hanging sprays of white bells in March.
How do you recognise them?
- Photinia
- Evergreen shrub whose young shoots are bright red.
- Compared with Japanese pieris: also red young shoots, but larger leaves and white flower heads; not fussy about soil.
- Japanese pieris
- Evergreen shrub with rosettes of glossy leaves, red young shoots and hanging sprays of white bells in March.
| Photinia | Japanese pieris | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, 8–15 cm, glossy and leathery, finely toothed; young leaves bright red. | In rosettes at the shoot tips, 3–8 cm, narrowly oval, finely toothed and leathery; young leaves copper to fiery red. |
| Flowering | Flat clusters of small white flowers in May, with a slightly unpleasant smell (April–May). | Hanging sprays of small white or pink bells (like lily of the valley) in March–April; the buds are ready all winter (March–April). |
| Fruit | Red berries (rarely). | Small, dry capsules. |
| Bark | Greyish-brown. | Greyish-brown, flaky. |
| Shape and height | Shrub, 2–5 m | Shrub, 1–3 m |
| Site | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, normal | Partial shade or shade, acid soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Little | Yes, for bees |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Yes, take care with children and pets |
| Pruning months | May–June and August–September | May |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Japanese pieris is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
Read on
- Plant profile: Photinia
- Plant profile: Japanese pieris
- Photinia: when and how to prune
- Japanese pieris: when and how to prune
- Identification key: the question that separates them
Also looks like
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.