General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained, acidic soils in full sun to part shade. Best in part shade. Prefers moist, organically rich, peaty soils with a pH below 6. Blooms on previous year's growth, so any pruning should be done immediately after flowering.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Enkianthus is an upright, deciduous shrub which typically grows 6-8' tall (less frequently to 10-15'). Tiny, bell-shaped, creamy-yellow to whitish-pink flowers with pink striping and edging appear in pendulous clusters (racemes) in late spring. Individual flowers resemble those of Pieris which is in the same family (heath). Elliptic, serrate, medium green to bluish green leaves (to 3" long) are crowded near the branch ends. Fall color is variable, but at its best features quality red foliage with tones of orange, yellow and purple.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Since fall color is so variable with this species, gardeners may wish to purchase plants in autumn when fall color is in display.

Uses:

Specimen, group or mass in the landscape. Effective grown with rhododendrons which share the same acidic soil requirements. Shrub borders, foundations.

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