Kolkwitzia amabilis

Beauty Bush

Location

The Autumn Border and Temple Garden

Description:

A hardy deciduous shrub, native to central China, with light brown flaky bark and graceful arching branches, which can grow 3m, usually as wide as it is tall. Light pink bell-shaped showy 2cm flowers, dark pink in the bud, appear in late spring.

Site and Care:

Grow in well-drained soil, of any type, in sun or partial shade. Pruning should only be carried out in winter removing old wood as necessary. It needs plenty of room to develop its long, arching sprays but occasionally older stems thicker than a broomstick should be removed at the base when the shrub is dormant, to encourage young, free-flowering growth. Propagation is by half-ripe cuttings in autumn.