Deadheading of Pieris is done after the flowers have
bloomed. You simply pinch off the flower with your
fingers being carful not to break off new growing points

just below the flower stalk. The theory is that letting

the plant make seeds takes a lot of energy, better used

in setting new flower buds for next year.

Pieris does tend to send up shoots when cut severely. To minimize this, you can do it in steps over a couple years. Leave some of the taller branches, and thin the rest down to the height you want. Next year, take out the taller branches you left.

Even if you can't wait, the shoots are worst the first spring after the hard pruning, and slow down after that.

Also, doing your hardest pruning at the end of summer rather than in the winter can cut down somewhat on the extra shoots.

i am always late and spring hasnt arrived

Regards from the Far North (N. Delta, Canada)

I have a few - two growing in the dappled shade of tall deciduous oak trees (one is nearly 8') and a third, smaller, one on the north side of our house where it receives a few hours of morning sun, but full to dappled shade afterwards. All are full, healthy and very trouble-free, rewarding me with those lovely little flower clusters in early spring and asking little in return. They get a good mulch of shredded leaves in the fall, and a light feeding of fertilizer for acid-loving plants. The only pruning I do is to remove branches that are damaged or growing at an awkward angle ... occasionally one or two just to maintain a good, but still natural, shape.

These plants like the same conditions as rhododendrons, azaleas, heaths and heathers.

Good luck with your new pieris!