Enkianthus Campanulatus
If you are lucky enough to have Rhododendrons growing well in your garden, then Enkianthus Campanulatus will probably also thrive.
The one I feature today was actually the last shrub which was planted in our Aberdeen garden.
*** in our garden ***
In the Autumn of 2012 we planted the Enkianthus Campanulatus, in the woodland area, positioned in dappled shade
I knew it stood a good chance of performing well as Enkianthus favours acidic soil and Rhododendrons thrive in our woodland area.
Just to make sure, I dug in a fair amount of ericaceous compost to the planting area.
Being A deciduous shrub the leaves dropped off in early Winter.
I was really pleased to see the leaf buds opening in early Spring, and the umbels of small flowers were profuse in May continuing well into June.
Enkianthus Campanulatus developed well in its first year, Myra often tells me that we should have dug this shrub up and taken it with us when we moved. She wasn’t far wrong, well she seldom is and its pointless arguing with women, isn’t it?
*** plant description ***
This hardy deciduous shrub grows to a height of about 10/12 ft, so it needs a bit of space to develop, looking good as a free standing specimen, or well placed in either the mixed border or woodland setting.
The umbels of smallish yet very striking creamy flowers, shaded with hints of pink,orange and red veins open in May/June.
If you were not previously acquaint with this plant, you will be sure to find yourself checking it out every day when its in bloom
If it wasn’t enough, this shrub with its exquisite blooms, also gives a great Autumn show when the leaves turn various shades of orange and red.
*** pruning ***
It isn’t really necessary to prune Enkianthus Campanulatus, simply cut back any wayward branches. However, if after a few years you find that it is starting to outgrow the position, the shrub will tolerate hard pruning in April.
*** Hardiness *** fully hardy down to at least minus 15c
*** Position *** full sun/partial shade, best in part shade!
*** Soil *** Acid/neutral, holding the moisture in Summer
***Enkianthus***
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Longing for Spring to arrive, so it was quite uplifting to see these Crocus opening up under the front window on a sunny morning.
January 22nd.
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On January the 30th, this is what we woke up to, I reckon its the best the garden has looked in the last few months.
The snow was more or less gone by the next morning, back to thinking about Spring again.
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We no longer have a greenhouse, I still like to have some annual bedding plants in the garden. Mind you, we do have one of those mini greenhouses so I am off to place an order for some plug plants. They are very reasonably priced £14.99 for 170 plug plants. They also have larger garden ready plants. I was very happy with those which I purchased from this mail order company in the past worth having a look.
If you happen to leave a comment I will be sure to visit your site and do the same
Hi Emily, it is likely a fungal disease. Do a Google search for treatment of your choice.
My enkianthus has maroon colored spots on all the leaves…what is causing this an what can I do about it?
Thanks!
Hello Sunil, I am surprised Enkianthus isn’t more widely grown, could be that you have to get close up to really appreciate it.
Hello Alistair, I’ve never heard of Enkianthus Campanulatus, but I’m glad you pointed it out, it’s one I can add to the list for planting towards the bottom of the garden where the trees are. I’ve got several good spots for it around there. Your snowy garden pictures look lovely, very pristine and white, especially on the trees.
Thank you Linda, I will be sure to check out and see how things are in Montreal.
Hi Helene, I didn’t have the Enkianthus long enough to comment on how it would cope with such regular hard pruning.
I found the jersey plug plants more than ideal for growing on in our greenhouse, but like yourself we no longer have one, I intend to get their larger ones this year or their garden ready plants.
I must have missed your post, well, better late than never!
As I was reading and looking at the photos of this lovely plant which is new to me I was thinking that this could be a really suitable plant for my garden…until I got to the size of it. I haven’t got room for any more big plants, I wonder if it would be possible to keep it to about 2×2 ft by pruning – even long term? How many years did you have yours? How quickly did it grow? I have an 11 year old Garrya elliptica happily growing in a container so perhaps this Enkianthus would be happy growing like that too 🙂
I know Jersey Plants well, have been shopping from them for years, I was pleased to see that they now have larger plug plants too as the size they used to have were REALLY small, lot of wastage and without a greenhouse almost impossible to grow on. I bought my current winter bedding from them and chose the large size plugs.
Beautiful photos, and your snow photos are magical! Warm greetings from a very cold Montreal, Canada. Fortunately for myself, though, I love all the seasons, even the winter. You have a lovely blog. 🙂
Hi Angie, I have just been noticing this past week as to how much milder it is in the North east of Scotland compared to here.
Lovely shrub Alistair – I have Enkianthus cernuus var. rubens in my garden. Very similar and as you say gorgeous autumn colour.
Love your snow pictures – how gorgeous does your garden look. Roll on spring.
Hi Rick, its one of those plants which can be appreciated best up close.
Hi Alistair, we had our few days of snow and still have the odd patch left although I think today’s slightly higher temperatures will see it off. Enkianthus is a shrub which has always been at the back of my mind as it should do well in my conditions, I am doing a bit of reorganizing, including moving a Rhododendron, and after reading your post,I might just look at buying an Enkianthus to work in with my new layout.
Hi Donna, I agree with every word you say, honest, well sometimes.
I do agree, never disagree with women. 😉 A wonderful shrub that would not like my garden I fear. I was surprised to see your crocus and then the snow which is what my garden will start looking like in March….bulbs growing and snow. I would be in heaven to get so many plugs for that wonderful price. Maybe 5, even 10, but never 170. Enjoy that beautiful garden of yours Alistair.
Hi Pam, I suppose its good to watch the deer,sounds like they can be a nuisance though. I will take your advice ** possibly!
I don’t have redvein enkianthus in my garden, Alistair, but it sounds like it may work in my woodland area — We have plenty of acidic soil. I need to research, howerver, whether the deer like it. I planted two mountain laurels, Kalmia latifolia, the Pennsylvania state flower, and the deer ate them to the ground. Your snow-covered garden is very pretty. Mine is under a foot of snow, and I wont see crocus for a long time, I’m sad to say. Oh, Alistair, please listen to Myra in future! P. x
I am also looking forward to the Spring Indie. I hope you are not missing the warmer climate which you had further south.
They are very special Skotkat, it has been frosty here also, not to bad today.
Hello from frosty Scotland Alistair these are a must have for their beauty i have 3 in the garden and many Rhodies which all grow ever so well.
I’m not acquainted with that shrub – what beautiful flowers on it! That is too bad you had to leave it. Our garden looks much like yours now, though we might have even more snow. There’s over two feet on the ground, and we’re due for another foot and a half. I’m looking forward to some Spring!
Hi Annette, yes, I did mention on my post about the good Autumn colour.
I didn’t know that shrub – I have just looked it up and discovered it can also have wonderful Autumn colour. Did you see that or had the plant already lost its leaves when you planted it? I am now wondering whether I have space anywhere for one. I have space at the top of the garden, but think it would be too dry for it; maybe at the bottom of the garden as it doesn’t seem to need too much sun. I love your garden in the snow. We have had some snow, but not enough to get lovely photographs like yours.