About Pieris formosa (Wall.) D.Don
Pieris formosa, commonly known as Taiwan pieris or Himalayan andromeda, is a flowering plant species belonging to the genus Pieris. It is native to Nepal, the eastern Himalaya, Assam (India), Myanmar, Vietnam, Tibet, and central and southern China; it is not native to Taiwan despite one of its common names referencing Taiwan. It is a vigorous evergreen shrub that grows to 4 m (13 ft) tall. In early spring, its new leaves emerge red before maturing to green. Clusters (trusses) of creamy white flowers bloom at the same time that young leaves emerge. Like all species in the Pieris genus, it grows best in partial shade and acidic soil. The 'Wakehurst' cultivar of Pieris formosa var. forrestii has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The Royal Horticultural Society recognizes it as a valuable ornamental plant, and also notes that it is good for attracting pollinators.
