I have pieris in various places on my property. All planted at the same time about 7-8 years ago. The couple that I have in almost full shade are growing larger than any others, however I don't see too many flowers. I have some in full sun that do get some red growth but they are very slow growing and also don't flower much. There is a house not far from me that has 2 pieris growing in blazing sun on each side of their front door. They grow beautifully. Nice red new growth every year and profuse blooming. I just can't figure out pieris. It seems that if you happen to find just the right spot it will be magnificent but if not they may limp along to a certain extent. Have you also checked out Kalmia? I like this shrub much more than pieris. Between the buds and flowers they put on a great show. 2 pics of Pieris in heavy shade. Both always have good new growth and are over 3' high, but they never flower very much at all. This is pieris growing in full sun. Nice new red growth, but slower growing (about 1/3 the size of the 2 above) and again barely any flowering. It is the same variety as the 2 in the above photos (not sure which variety though). This is a Kalmia. Took a hard hit over the winter with a bad ice storm we had, but it will recover nicely. For evergreen and flowering I definitely prefer Kalmia over Pieris. I don't have a pic handy of the Kalmia in bud or flower. Hope that helps a little bit. I also have zone envy for Nandina!

Almost forgot: I also have 3 nandina domestica (moon bay nandinas) that dont look great. Nandinas when first planted: http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee189/bugman74/CIMG2256.jpg Nandina's 2/2009 (these were never pruned): http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee189/bugman74/CIMG2957.jpg Nandina's last month: http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee189/bugman74/CIMG3326.jpg The one closes to the water spicket looks OK, the others dropped a lot of leaves, and are still red'ish... Ideas?

Here I am! I thought that was you. I'd love some since I'm trying to fill a fence line that's got a lot of dead berberries on it. Let's hook up. I think I can get you a lilac or 10. Christine

I suppose it might depend on where you live. I'm in Southern Tablelands, have two large and mature clumps which produce lots of berries. I have had one seedling come up randomly in a pot of something else, had no seedlings from intentional plantings, and have no identified seedlings pop up in my garden.