Enkianthus cernuus f. rubens
- Height × spread
- 5m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a beautiful shrubby plant that has shiny green leaves that are often shaped like stretched diamonds. The flowers are carried in dense clusters beneath the branches, coming in May. They are tiny close lipped bells, coloured a gloriously deep rich red. Close observation shows the tiny tips of the style just protruding from the mouth of the little blooms. In autumn this shrub takes on good red shades before leaf fall. This is likely to achieve around 5m (16ft) in height with a 3m (10ft) spread.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Red-crimson
- Stem colour
- Brown, Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 5m
- Spread
- 3m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost
This plant requires acidic (ericaceous) soil. Where the soil is not acidic, or when planting in pots, use an ericaceous compost.