<i>Enkianthus perulatus</i> 'J.L. Pennock'

Enkianthus perulatus ‘J.L. Pennock’, the white enkianthus, was introduced to the United States in 1859 from southwestern Japan, said Russell Balge, former regional specialist at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service.
 
‘J. L. Pennock’ has pure white, urn-shaped, nodding flowers presented in groups of three to 10 in umbel-like racemes prior to the foliage in early May, well after the more familiar azaleas, dogwoods, magnolias, and redbuds have finished blooming, Balge said. The foliage is bright green.
 
It features multiple stems with silvery bark.
 
The leaves are finely serrated and alternate, although they are borne so closely together towards the apex of the branches that they appear whorled, he said.
 
The foliage develops a hint of burgundy in September, deepens in color in October, and matures to a dark-red scarlet in November, giving ‘J. L. Pennock’ one of the longest fall color shows among the shrubs.
 
It’s hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-7. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society named ‘J.L. Pennock’ a Gold Medal Plant in 1999.
 

In the landscape
The white enkianthus prefers an acidic, well-drained, organically-rich soil. It has a shallow root system, making the plant easily transplanted, but mandating that extra care be exercised when cultivating around established plants. ‘J. L. Pennock’ may be used as a foundation plant or in the mixed border, but stands out as a specimen plant or when used in hillside or rock garden plantings. 
 
‘J.L. Pennock’ needs little pruning and is rarely disturbed by insects and disease. It is propagated by cuttings taken in mid-June. It is necessary to protect the newly-rooted cuttings the first winter. 
 
Angela Treadwell-Palmer, owner of Plants Nouveau, recommends this selection as an alternative to burning bush.
 
“I have a small one, but the 8 feet tall by 10 feet wide untrimmed, original specimen at The Morris Arboretum is spectacular, to say the least,” she said.
 
It can take full sun, clay soil and even urban conditions.
 
“This is an incredibly underused plant. It’s not native, but it isn’t invasive either,” she said.
 

For more: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, www.goldmedalplants.org. Plants Nouveau, www.plantsnouveau.com. The Morris Arboretum, www.upenn.edu/arboretum.