At first glance, Pieris japonica and Camellia japonica don’t seem to have much in common other than the second part, or specific epithet, of their Latin binomial. That japonica merely tells us each of these members of the Pieris and Camellia genera were probably developed in Japan, like so many other landscape plants with japonica in their names.

In fact, they are members of entirely different plant families and their flowers, which range in color from white to shades of pink and red, are as unlike in shape and form as an orchid is from a rose. But take a closer look and you’ll notice some common traits that make them assets in a winter woodland garden.

Both Pieris and camellias are evergreen shrubs to small trees that like acid soil, something we have in abundance here due to the perpetual needle fall from the surrounding native evergreens, so they’re good companions for rhodies and azaleas. They can also thrive in dappled shade.

Pieris japonica is sometimes called Japanese andromeda, and white flowered varieties have inspired another name, Lily of the Valley shrub, because of the many panicles of snowy, urn-shaped flowers.

Another common variety of Camellia is C. sasanqua, which is shorter and has smaller leaves. They’re cousins to C. sinensis, the source of tea leaves that quench the thirst of billions of people worldwide and is arguably one of our most culturally important plants.

Depending on the variety, camellias can bloom from fall to spring and are a good choice for color during the chilly months. Pieris don’t bloom until spring but will set attractive sprays of tiny buds in the winter, and new growth can transform from brilliant red or yellow to green, adding even more interest to an off-season garden.

Camellia flower buds form soon after they finish flowering, so pruning them isn’t something you want to put off till the good weather returns, or you’ll end up snipping off all of next year’s blooms.  Other than that, they enjoy a good trimming and can form a veritable tower of flowers if pruned regularly into a dense bush. If you choose, you can trim up taller varieties into trees.

Though some gardening resources insist both of these shrubs tolerate full shade, it’s been my experience they want and need some sun during part of the day and may not bloom without it. This knowledge is hard won.

I have a row of camellias along the shadiest side of my house near the forest’s edge. They were planted long before we bought our property and in the almost two decades we’ve been there only two of them have bloomed. These two are located near an opening in the trees where some sun can pierce the gloom. I’m planning on removing the rest and finding them a new, sunnier home.

What’s more, a Pieris I’d planted nearby, but in a bit more sun, hadn’t done much of anything in the past several years but look at me forlornly –  no flowers and not much growth. I finally uprooted it a few months ago and moved it 40 or 50 feet to the east, where it gets a blast of morning sun. Now it’s  covered in masses of flower buds, it’s got me looking forward to its fragrant summer blooms, and neither of us is looking the least bit forlorn.