Pieris little heather dying?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Greenfield81, Sep 28, 2025.

  1. Greenfield81

    Greenfield81 Gardener

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    Should I worried about this pieris little heath? Not looking too healthy, but growth showing at the bottom. Do I need to prune or just leave well alone?
     

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  2. hailbopp

    hailbopp Keen Gardener

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    Ouch, that is not looking healthy. Pieris certainly do best in semi shade and plenty of moisture in acidic soil. It is difficult to tell what has caused the issue but perhaps too hot and dry?
    The damaged growth will not recover. I would certainly prune the dead foliage off down to live stems and hope it recovers.I would do this sooner rather than later to give the cut stems time to heal over before winter or you could wait until spring. I grow these and even mine have not been thrilled with our very hot and dry summer and yes! I live in Scotland.
     
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    • Greenfield81

      Greenfield81 Gardener

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      Thanks - weather has been hot and dry so perhaps not the best conditions. It’s also not in acidic soil, so problem two. I will give it some T&C as you suggested and keep fingers crossed.
       
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      • fairygirl

        fairygirl Total Gardener

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        I agree - cut back the dead stuff @Greenfield81 and it should come away again, but if you don't have suitable conditions for it, it's perhaps not worth having.
        They grow without any help here in the west of Scotland, but we're much wetter here than the east side.
        I have one [P. Little Heath] which I moved from a nearby site earlier this year. It was only watered when I replanted it, and it's in among lots of other planting, including clematis.

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        They'll grow quite happily in neutral soil, as long as it isn't at the alkaline end of neutral.
        They're also fine in containers, as long as you give them a decent growing medium - soil based, and make sure they're in a bit of shade, especially if you're in a hotter area of the country. They won't dry out so easily if they get some shade.
        They grow happily in sun here, but it's not as hot or dry, despite our record breaking spring this year, and our recent summers, so it's less of an issue for us. What we consider dry here, isn't what others do though!
         
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