Enkianthus deflexus
Himalayan red bells
A vigorous, upright, deciduous shrub with red shoots and glossy, oval, bright green leaves turning red and orange in autumn. Produces hanging clusters of bell-shaped, creamy flowers with dark pink veins in late spring and early summer
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Red | Cream Pink | Green | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Red | Cream Pink | Green | |
Autumn | Red | Orange Red | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Enkianthus are deciduous shrubs with simple, alternate leaves often colouring brilliantly in autumn, and umbels of racemes of small urn- or bell-shaped flowers in spring or summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Nepal to S China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, humus-rich, acid or neutral soil in full sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.