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Plant Profile: Enkianthus

Enkianthus

Enkianthus campanulatus

Family: Ericaceae

Common Name(s): NA

Native to: Japan

Flowering: Spring

Watering: Keep soil moist

Planting Aspect: Full sun to part shade

Preferred Climate: Temperate, Subtropical


Description

Redvein Enkianthus (Enkianthus campanulatus)
Deciduous, slow growing, narrow, open habit shrub with numerous short, spraying clusters of small bell shaped flowers on long hanging stalks in spring and early summer. The valued, small bell flowers are cream coloured but heavily striped and tipped dull crimson. The growth habit is typically blocky and upright between 2.4 to 3.5 metres. In autumn the leaves which are clustered at the end of each season’s growth, produce a layered effect and turn to shades of gold, scarlet and dull purple.

Bent Enkianthus (Enkianthus deflexus)
Deciduous, large shrub or small tree with oval, bright green leaves with felted undersurfaces which turn orange and red in autumn. It is an open habit shrub with numerous short, spraying clusters of small bell shaped flowers on long hanging stalks in spring and early summer. The valued, small bell flowers are pink tinged cream in colour with broad petals. The growth habit is upright to over 3.5 metres in height. Enkianthus are very frost hardy and prefer similar growing conditions to Rhododendrons and Azaleas but will not thrive in heavy shade.



Cultivation

Redvein Enkianthus (Enkianthus campanulatus)
Enkianthus prefer similar growing conditions to Rhododendrons and Azaleas but will not thrive in heavy shade. They like moist, acid, woodland type soil that is compost rich but not too fertile and in a sunny to part shady position. Enkianthus is generally a clean plant and is not associated with any pests or disease. Avoid pruning the bush to a rounded shape, as this will prevent the flowers from being so well displayed.

Bent Enkianthus (Enkianthus deflexus)
They like moist, acid, woodland type soil that is compost rich but not too fertile and planted in a sunny to part shady position. Prepare the growing site by digging over the soil and adding a good handful of blood and bone or rich compost prior to planting out. Water in well at planting time and then on an occasional basis to promote growth. Enkianthus is generally a clean plant and is not associated with any pests or disease. Avoid pruning the bush to a rounded shape, as this will prevent the flowers from being so well displayed.
Revised: 17th Dec 2009 @ 4:59 AM
Keywords: enkianthus, ericaceae, enkianthus, flowers, plant, small, habit, growth, growing, soil, compost, rich, campanulatus, nursery