About This Plant
Interstella® is a Japanese andromeda with bell-shaped ruby red flowers. This evergreen shrub blooms in early spring with drooping clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers, and its glossy leaves look good all year. Pieris grows best in part shade and acidic, well-drained soil, and deer usually leave it alone.
Planting & Care
How to Plant
Choose a spot with morning sun or dappled shade, out of hot afternoon sun. Dig a hole 2–3 times as wide as the pot but no deeper, with the top of the root ball slightly above ground level. Loosen circling roots and backfill with the native soil. Prefers acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Water deeply after planting and add 2–3 in of mulch, keeping it off the stems. Hardy in USDA zones 5-8.
Watering & Feeding
Water deeply 1–2 times a week for the first season, about 1 in per week. Keep soil evenly moist, especially during heat and dry spells. Feed in spring with a fertilizer for acid-loving plants.
Pruning & Seasonal Care
Prune in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Remove dead or damaged branches any time. Mulch in late fall to protect roots through the first winter.