About

Kolkwitzia amabilis, the beauty bush, is a deciduous, arching, dense shrub to 3 m with flaking bark, oval leaves to 7 cm long and a profusion of bell-shaped, soft-pink to white flowers with yellow throats, borne in late spring and early summer. The flower calyces and stalks are conspicuously hairy. A beautiful and ornamental flowering shrub for any well-drained garden soil in full sun or partial shade.

About the genus

Kolkwitzia is a genus of one species of deciduous shrub from China in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) with simple, opposite leaves and clusters of bell-shaped, pink flowers marked with deep yellow in the throat in late spring. A deservedly popular and ornamental flowering shrub.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toChina

Care notes

CultivationGrows best in any well-drained soil in full sun
PruningPruning group 2
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or from suckers
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
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