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Enkianthus campanulatus

Phonetic Spelling
en-kee-AN-thus kam-pan-yoo-LAH-tus
Description

Enkianthus is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family with a narrowly upright habit of layered branches and tufted foliage.  The name enkyos is Greek for the word pregnant and anthos means flower.  This is in reference to the swollen urn shape of the flowers.  Campanulatus  is Latin for bell-shape also in reference to the flowers.

This shrub typically grows 6-8 feet tall but can reach heights of 16 feet.  Plant it in full sun to partial shade in acidic, moist, organically rich, well-drained soil.  It will suffer in dry weather and drought conditions but does well in clay soils.

The attractive late spring flowers appear on last year's growth so prune immediately after flowering to not remove next year's buds.  The seed capsules are unusual-looking and are prized for dried arrangements. Expect fantastic yellow, red or orange fall leaf color ad excellent, smooth, warm brown bark that gives winter interest in the landscape. Plants are often vegetatively propagated to maintain their brilliant fall colors.

Plant as a specimen, along a foundation, or use in small groups in shrub borders.  Rhododendrons have the same soil requirements so they are good planting companions. 

Seasons of Interest:

     Foliage: Fall   Bark: Winter

Quick ID Hints:

  • Seed capsules look like dried, upturned bells
  • Leaves with hairy margins are crowded at branch tips
  • Flowers are bell-shaped, nodding, in racemes
  • Deciduous small tree or shrub, tiered branches

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Albiflorus'
  • ‘Jan Iseli Pink’
  • 'Red Bells'
  • 'Renoir'
  • 'Showy Lantern'
'Albiflorus', ‘Jan Iseli Pink’, 'Red Bells', 'Renoir', 'Showy Lantern'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#interesting bark#specimen#small shrub#deciduous shrub#nectar plant#low maintenance#winter interest#fall interest#mass planting#specialized bees#foundation planting#pollinator plant#fantz#dried arrangements#fall color yellow#small group plantings#clay soils tolerant#fall color red#fall color orange#drought intolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Albiflorus'
  • ‘Jan Iseli Pink’
  • 'Red Bells'
  • 'Renoir'
  • 'Showy Lantern'
'Albiflorus', ‘Jan Iseli Pink’, 'Red Bells', 'Renoir', 'Showy Lantern'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#interesting bark#specimen#small shrub#deciduous shrub#nectar plant#low maintenance#winter interest#fall interest#mass planting#specialized bees#foundation planting#pollinator plant#fantz#dried arrangements#fall color yellow#small group plantings#clay soils tolerant#fall color red#fall color orange#drought intolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Enkianthus
    Species:
    campanulatus
    Family:
    Ericaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Good Dried
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    An ovoid, dehiscent capsule, 5-valved, borne upright on a recurved pedicel.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Urn
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    A cluster of creamy white, small 1/2" long, bell or urn-shaped flowers in pendulous racemes appear in spring. They have red or pink veins and edges; borne on the previous year's growth. Blooms are similar to Pieris, which is in the same family. Corymbose raceme, pendulous, terminal. (5-15) pale cream to light orange, veined with red, fragrant, corolla campanulate, 5-lobed.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Glossy, bright to medium blue-green to olive green leaves clustered at the ends of branches. Brilliant yellow and red-orange fall color that varies among seedlings. Alternate leaves are crowded at end of branches, simple, elliptic to obovate, acuminate, cuneate, serrate with aristate teeth, scattered bristly hairs above and on veins beneath, 1 to 3.5 inches long.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Smooth brown bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Slender, tiered, reddish to brown.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Small Tree