Agapetes serpens is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae, that is native to the Himalayas. Growing to tall, this semi-climbing shrub is cultivated as an ornamental for its shiny evergreen leaves and branches of attractive pendulous tubular red flowers, blooming over a long period. It is grown in climates from warm temperate to sub-tropical, but does not survive prolonged freezing (RHS hardiness rating H2). It requires a sheltered position in acid or neutral soil.
The Latin specific epithet serpens means "snake-like".[1]
This plant has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2]
It was first described in 1847 as Vaccinium serpens by Robert Wight.[3] [4] In 1851 Johann Klotzch redescribed it as Pentapterygium serpens (a name which is not accepted).[3] [5] In 1939 Hermann Sleumer transferred it to the genus, Agapetes, to give the species its currently accepted name of Agapetes serpens.[3] [6]