One of the most welcome sights in late winter is a
Pieris japonica, aka andromeda or Lily-of-the-valley bush, sporting its new, bright red leaves at the tips of the branches. The flowers, small upside-down goblets like huckleberry flowers, come later, in early spring. Usually, the flowers are white, sometimes a pale pink. I can't remember seeing one this red or this early before:
 |
| No-one told it to wait until March. |
 |
| Buds. Looks like the flowers inside will be red or deep pink. |
The
Pieris is a relative of our native rhododendrons, and though the flowers are much smaller, it is equally showy. And too common around here, so we tend to overlook it. Not this one, though!
