Enkianthus campanulatus 'Red Bells'
REDVEIN ENKIANTHUS
Family: Ericaceae
Pronounced: en-kee-AN-thus kam-pan-yoo-LAH-tus
Quick Jumps
Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes
GROWING GUIDE
Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Shrubs.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 2-9, 14-21.
USDA zones: 5-8.
Heat zones: 8-4.
Mature size:
Height: 8-12 feet (2.4-3.6 m).
Width: 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m).
Flowering period:
April-May.
Flowering attributes:
Racemes resembling corymbs hold bell-shaped creamy-white-overlaid-with-red flowers.
Leaf attributes:
Whorled branches hold toothed, obovate, elliptic leaves.
Light:
Full sun to partial shade.
Soil:
Fertile, humus rich, moist, well-drained soil. This is not a drought tolerant shrub.
Feeding:
An acidic plant fertilizer is usually recommended; however, our soil in the maritime Pacific Northwest is normally acidic enough as is. A soil test is recommended to determine if you need to adjust the ph level. Side-dress shrubs with compost and a complete organic fertilizer in spring. If soil is not acidic enough, use a cottonseed meal for the nitrogen in your organic fertilizer mix.
Propagation Methods:
Semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer.
Pruning Methods:
This shrub needs little to no pruning; however, it takes well to pruning attention. After flowers are spent, prune away dead wood and clean out branch unions.
Pests and Diseases:
No serious pests or diseases.
Rainy Side Notes
Rainy Side Notes
Enkianthus has to be one of my favorite shrubs in the garden, or at least one of the oldest ones there. I dug it up from my old garden, carrying it to the new one over 13 years* ago. This year, I've fallen in love again. The Enkianthus, grew quietly out of view for years, behind a large laurel. The Enkianthus looked bedraggled. However, after removing the larger shrub, I pruned the smaller one, and it grew back into a better shape.
The shrub now stands eight-feet tall next to the fence line. Its racemes overflow with beautiful pendant bells every spring. In autumn, the deciduous foliage shines in bright crimson, orange, and burgundy hues. In partial shade, fall color is not as intense. The remaining part of the year, its dull green foliage makes it fade into the background. I plan to remedy the shrub's doldrums by growing a summer blooming, six-foot-tall clematis vine up its framework, giving it another season of interest.
Enkianthus are slow growers; after 15 years, mine reached its present eight-foot height. This plant can grow in a light woodland garden or thrive in full sun in the Pacific Northwest. There are only ten species in the genus originating from Asia and Japan. The species, E. campanulatas, is often used for bonsai specimens.
The shrub is reportedly deer resistant and has very few problems with disease or insects. In my garden, it has been a carefree shrub. However, this is not a drought-tolerant plant; I give mine about an inch of water a week from July until September. Of course, in partial shade, its water needs are less than when growing in full sun.
The shrub is reportedly deer resistant and has very few problems with disease or insects. In my garden, it has been a carefree shrub. However, this is not a drought tolerant plant; I give mine about an inch of water a week from July until September. Of course, in partial shade, its water needs are less than when growing in full sun.
*As of the initial writing in May 2010.
Photographed in author's garden.
A Pacific Northwest Plant of the Week (2012)
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton