Enkianthus

( en - kee - AN - thus )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of deciduous shrubs and small trees is native to Asia. These plants enjoy full sun only in cooler climates and partial shade otherwise. They have regular to ample water needs in the landscape. Branches are nearly horizontal, forming off of vertical shoots. Leaves are clustered near branch ends and turn orange or red in fall. Bell-shaped flowers bloom in spring and dangle from branches. Use these shrubs as specimens, trim them into small trees, plant them in pots on patios or along walkways, or simply use them as background greenery in mixed shrubberies and along fence lines. These plants are commonly suggested as an alternative to the invasive Burning Bush.

Enkianthus Species and Varietals

The genus Enkianthus includes shrubs and small trees, and is in the Heath family (Ericaceae). It includes between 12 and 15 species. Enkianthus grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4-8 or Sunset growing zones 3-9 and 14-23, though this can vary depending on the species grown. See the species descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Enkianthus campanulatus (Red Vein Enkianthus, Furin-Tsutsuji, Redvein Enkianthus)
Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-8 or Sunset growing zones 2-9 and 14-21. It grows slowly to reach 10-20 feet tall and half as wide at maturity. Bluish-green leaves turn red in fall. In late spring, yellow-green, red-veined bells hang below leaves. Varieties include 'Red Bells' (red flowers and deep red fall color), 'Showy Lantern' which has red blooms and orange-red fall color), Enkianthus campanulatus albiflorus (with white blooms), and Enkianthus campanulatus sikokianus (with deep red flowers with pink and yellow streaks, and fall red/orange leaves).

Enkianthus cernuus (Nodding Enkianthus, Drooping Red Enkianthus)
Native to Japan, this species forms a large shrub or small tree (depending on how it's pruned). It prefers to grow in wet soils, such as around ponds or near streams. These plants can reach up to between 4 and 8 feet tall when mature, and have a distinct tiered habit and brilliant orange-red fall foliage. There are variations of the species with copper-red or white flowers.

Enkianthus perulatus (White Enkianthus, Dodan-Tsutsuji)
Gets to be 6-8 feet tall and wide. Leaves have a great scarlet fall color. Small white flowers appear early in spring before leaves pop. There are many popular cultivars of this species, including 'J.L. Pennock' (with larger leaves than the species), 'Compacta' (a slow-growing dwarf good for Bonsai), 'Iwa-Shidare' (with a weeping form), and 'Fukurin-Beni' (with variegated foliage)

Caring for enkianthus

These easy-care shrubs and small trees prefer to be planted in full shade to partial sun. In warmer climates, make sure they get some afternoon shade when the sun rays and heat are at their most intense. Ensure that soil is well-draining before planting. If soil is overly clay, compacted, or does not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic material and compost before installing. These shrubs prefer acidic, loamy soil (pH of around 6.0 is ideal). Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly, and do not allow soil to dry out fully between waterings as they develop strong root systems in their new home. Provide mature plants with weekly waterings for best performance, especially if growing these shrubs in full sun. Apply a feeding with an organic compost each year in springtime to help support the seasons leafout and flowering. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These shrubs do not need much pruning, simply remove dead or dying branches if necessary right after the plant is done flowering. Avoid over-pruning to maintain their layered branching structure. These beautiful ornamentals are long-lived and hardy, surviving for 20-30 years or more under ideal care and conditions. They are slow to moderate growers, reaching their full size in 5-15 years.

Propagation

Enkianthus can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub follow the instructions below:

Propagating Enkianthus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about 6-8 weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new tree or shrub.

Propagating Enkianthus by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. They are located in seed pods that are left behind after the bell-shaped flowers have faded.
In late winter, water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Enkianthus seeds are contained in the seedpods that are left over once the flowers have faded.

Enkianthus seeds are quite small; take care when handling them so you don't lose any!

Problems and Pests

Enkianthus is rarely bothered by pests or disease. For information on commonly-encountered pests and diseases in the landscape, consult the following links:

Pests & Pest Management

Plant Issues