I assume you have adequately acidic soils to satisfy this plant's requirements?

I would have thought the MI climate a bit too harsh for this plant as well but what do I know?? :-))

Thank you both for the input. Gardengal, yes I have acidic clay soil and the whole bed is pine needles. Ken, the landscaper recommended and swore they had good luck with pieris in our area ... then ate their words by planting two of them that died and ultimately giving me a free Annabelle hydrangea that I planted myself. But you do see pieris sold regularly at reputable nurseries around here. I had to trim the dead 3-foot stem in the middle as I didn't want to invite disease and it actually spurred new growth. The move probably wasn't advisable, but I went from a 3-foot backrow shrub to an 8-inch shrub that wasn't visible. I don't plan to touch it anymore, I'll let it do it's thing and hope for the best. Thanks again to both of you.

"and the whole bed is pine needles"

Pine needles will have no measurable impact on soil pH so whether they are there or not is of little consequence :-)

I get that with the needles, but they are slightly acidic so it can't hurt :) And I do otherwise have tested, acidic clay soil underneath.

Actually, dry pine needes (aka 'pine straw') is pretty much just neutral (or slightly above) - a pH of 7.0-7.4. And even very fresh, green needles are barely acidic....right around 6.3.

But as long as your actual soil is sufficiently acidic, you should be good to go in that regard.

How is the drainage in all seasons? Is the soil ever sodden or does water puddle here? Many Heath family plants don’t like wet feet, and though there are some of them that are specifically adapted as bog plants, Pieris isn’t one of them.

Perhaps consider giving them a shade screen this winter since the sun angle may be different, and sun on winter broadleafed evergreens can cause freeze drying since soil moisture is unavailable if it is frozen.

If this one fails, consider looking at Pieris Brouwer’s Beauty which is a hybrid that gets a bit more hardiness from its other parent.

Another vote for Brouwer's Beauty! Mountain Fire failed for me...one lasted 2 years, the other 3 years, both smaller each year.

Brouwer's Beauty hasn't suffered any winter damage for me after 6 winters and is nice and healthy.

NHBabs, it's planted under the canopy of white pine and I planted it high due to the heavy clay and mild root competition conditions. So the soil is consistently on the dry side and it's never in a wet feet situation. I've been watering it weekly during this dry summer and it appears to be a decent schedule/amount to spur the new growth. Thanks to you and Smivies for the suggestion on a hardier Brouwer's Beauty. I'll screen the Mountain Fire this winter but if I lose it for a third time I'm moving on to the Brouwer's.

Also does anyone use Wilt Stop or another anti-transpirant on broadleaf or other evergreens to overwinter? I've read mixed reviews but two years ago I used it and thought it helped.