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Gerald L. Klingaman
Caprifoliaceae
Kolkwitzia amabilis
Beautybush
Beautybush lives up to its name in late spring when its branches are laden with pink flowers. This large, deciduous shrub is native to slopes, roadsides, and brushy areas in eastern and central China.
The mid- to dark-green, oval leaves are paired along the upright to slightly arching branches of this twiggy shrub. Older stems have brown, flaky bark. The bell-shaped flowers are pale- to medium-pink with a yellow throat. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds visit the blooms. The small fruits that follow are pinkish brown and fuzzy. The foliage may go reddish in fall.
Grow beautybush in full sun for maximum bloom. Any reasonably fertile, well-drained soil will suffice. Flowers develop on year-old wood so prune plants immediately after they bloom, leaving strong new shoots for next year's display. Use beautybush in a mixed shrub border or hedge where it can dazzle onlookers with its blossoms and fade into anonymity for the remainder of the year. Selection 'Pink Cloud' has brighter, slightly deeper pink flowers; 'Maradco' (known as Dream Catcher™) has gold, bronze-tinged foliage that turns orange in fall.
9 - 5
5 - 8
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Shrub
Full Sun, Partial Sun
8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m
9'-12' / 2.7m - 3.7m
Spring, Late Spring
China
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Average
Clay, Loam, Sand
Drought
Medium
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Oval/Rounded
Spring
Showy
Pink, Light Pink
Pink, Brown
Green
Green, Burgundy, Dark Red, Bronze
Brown, Sandy Brown
No
Single
Matte
Exfoliating
Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break
Hummingbirds, Butterflies
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