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Deciduous Shrubs
Enkianthus serrulatus
white bell enkianthus
Ericaceae
Central and southern China: Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou
At a Glance
TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)
Width5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m)
Maturity7 years
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
5 - 8Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy
Key Features
Attracts Pollinators
Maintenancelow
Overview
A deciduous shrub growing 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) tall and 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) wide with a layered, tiered branching structure. Leaves are ovate to elliptic, 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long and 0.75-1.5 inches (2-4 cm) wide, with finely serrated margins and short stalks, clustered in whorls at the ends of branches. Foliage emerges pale green in spring, transitions to dark green through summer, and colors red to orange-red in autumn before dropping. Bark on older stems is brown-gray with a slightly ridged texture. Flowers are small, bell-shaped, 0.3-0.5 inches (8-12 mm) long, white to pale cream, and hang in pendulous clusters of 8-15 at the branch tips in spring before or as the leaves emerge. Individual flowers have a 5-lobed corolla. No notable fruit. Growth rate is slow to moderate, approximately 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) per year. The layered branch habit becomes more pronounced with age.
Native Range
Native to central and southern China, primarily in Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou provinces, where it grows in montane forests and forest margins at elevations of 3,300-9,800 feet (1,000-3,000 m). Found on acidic, well-drained soils under partial shade of taller trees.Suggested Uses
Planted as a specimen shrub or in mixed shrub borders at 6-8 foot (1.8-2.4 m) spacing. Associates with other ericaceous shrubs such as rhododendrons and azaleas in woodland garden settings. Not suited for exposed, windy sites or alkaline soils.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 10'
Width/Spread5' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 7 years
Colors
Flower Colors
white
cream
Foliage Colors
green
Fall Foliage Colors
red
orange
Bloom Information
Bloom Period
~3 weeksJ
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Spring
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to pale cream, bell-shaped, pendulousFoliage Description
Pale green emerging, dark green in summer, red to orange-red in autumnGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Soil Requirements
pH Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loam
Drainage
well drained
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Medium
Frost Tolerance
hardy
Time to Maturity
5-7 years
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in moist, well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 4.5-6.0 in partial shade to full sun. Full sun is tolerated in cool climates but may cause leaf scorch in zones 7-8 during hot summers; afternoon shade reduces stress. Water weekly during the first two growing seasons; established plants tolerate brief dry periods but leaf margins scorch when drought extends beyond 2-3 weeks. Do not lime the soil, as alkaline conditions cause chlorosis. Fertilize in early spring with an acid-forming fertilizer formulated for ericaceous plants. Scale insects occasionally infest branches; treat with horticultural oil in early spring before growth begins.Pruning
Prune immediately after flowering ends to avoid removing next year's flower buds, which form on the current season's growth. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter before bud break. The natural tiered form requires minimal corrective pruning; heavy shearing destroys the characteristic branching structure. Hard rejuvenation pruning is not recommended, as recovery is slow.Pruning Schedule
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late spring