Pieris Problem

[julia-mag]

My pieris has been overgrown with what looks like very healthy laurel leaves. Last year I saw a few and cut them out (I thought) This yearthey have grown so strongly it has swamped the pieris itself. Any idea what it is and what I should do. ?

[boxtops]

is it on a laurel rootstock, then? Mine isn't, it seems to grow straight out of the ground itself?

[julia-mag]

I have had it in a 'chimney pot container' for 7/8 years and this has only just started happening. I cant find that they are grafted onto Laurel but that is what it looks like, beautifully shiny healthy large leaves, I haven't the heart to cut them down !!

[Robinia]

I'm guessing your pieris is a variegated one and is now reverting to plain green. Ideally the green shoots should be nipped off as soon as they appear, they're much stronger than the variegated part and will rapidly take over. If cutting them out now will leave little of your shrub then I'm afraid it's a bit late Julia.

[julia-mag]

Then it is 'toolittle- too late' I am afraid, for the green leaves have really taken over, there is just a small part of the variegated pieris trying to flower and grow but has been 'bullied' by the green leaves which are so much stronger and bigger!.. Oh well thats two of my pot plants gone for a burton this year, I lost my beautiful rhodedendron too, Pity the wretched mauve geranium (which grows like a weed and is a devil to dig out) wont die off!