This evergeen shrub is widely planted but there are almost no records of naturalization in North America (FNA 8; K, W). It is much used in Ky., but it only does well in acid soils. Also, occasional deep freezes can kill it. In vegetative characters, Pieris japonica is easily confused with Prunus laurocerasus (the "cherry-laurel" of southern Europe). It may be distinguished as follows (Flora of China 14; FNA 9): twigs often puberulous (versus strictly glabrous); petioles 3-8 mm (versus 5-15 mm); leaves usually 3-10 x 1-2.5 cm (versus 6-18 x 3-7 cm), the proximal lower surface without distinct flat glands (versus with 1 to several flat, circular to oval glands), the margin usually entire except for few apical teeth or distally crenulate (versus sharply serrulate to almost entire), the apex usually acuminate (versus short-acuminate), inodorous when crushed but with neurotoxic polyhydroxylated cyclic diterpenes (versus often bitter almond-scented with cyanogenic glycosides).