Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Ericaceae

Genus:

Pieris

Species:

Pieris phillyreifolia

USDA Symbol:

PIPH

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub , Vine

Height:

150 cm

Light Requirements:

Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

feb,mar,apr

Bloom Colors:

white

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Reported Fauna Sightings

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Climbing fetterbush is adapted to fire-maintained wetland ecosystems and resprouts from roots after fire.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, acidic, well-drained sandy soil

pH:

4.5 - 6.0 (acidic)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

Prefers habitats like bogs and wet pine flatwoods

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

30–60 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and keep moist.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI