Enkianthus perulatus

white enkianthus

  • © Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks

  • © Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks

  • © Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks

Outstanding Qualities

Enkianthus perulatus is grown for its wide, dome shape rather than the columnar form of Enkianthus campanulatus. The fall color is a screaming scarlet red which makes for a real standout in the garden. This compact deciduous shrub has red-tinted young branches with mid green, elliptic to obovate toothed leaves. Pendant umbels of up to 10 urn-shaped white flowers appear in early spring. This is a fairly slow growing shrub so it should be used in combination with smaller groundcovers such as Blechnum penna-marina, primroses or small leaved Epimediums.

Quick Facts

Plant Type: shrub

Foliage Type: deciduous

Plant Height (10-year): 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 meters)

Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 meters)

Plant Height-Mature: 7 ft. 0 in. (2.13 meters)

Plant Width-Mature: 7 ft. 0 in. (2.13 meters)

Hardiness: USDA Zones 6 to 8

Flower Color: white

Flowering Time: spring

Sun/Light Exposure: full sun to dappled shade

Water Requirements: regular watering during the dry summer weather

Seasonal Interest: autumn color

Wildlife Associations: bees, hummingbirds

Culture Notes

This slow growing shrub prefers a location in full sun to dappled shade, avoiding hot afternoon spots. The fall color is most intense with more sun, but plants in shade will still turn a beautiful clear golden yellow with orange tones. Provide a site with rich well-drained soil and regular watering during the dry summer weather. Enkianthus naturally grows with lovely layered branching and minimal pruning is needed to maintain a beautiful plant. It is easy to ruin the graceful habit with hard pruning. Consult an experienced pruner or take local classes before attempting to prune.