Beautybush Kolkwitzia amabilis
Beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Caprifoliaceae family, native to Central China (Hubei, Shaanxi, Gansu, Henan, Anhui). It grows 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) tall and 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
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Beautybush at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Caprifoliaceae |
| Mature height | 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) |
| Spacing | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Central China (Hubei, Shaanxi, Gansu, Henan, Anhui) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Beautybush toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Beautybush
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Beautybush
- How far apart should I plant Beautybush?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft).
- Does Beautybush need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Beautybush need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Beautybush?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Beautybush flower?
- From about May for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Beautybush poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Beautybush?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Beautybush. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Arching branches smothered in late spring with small pink bells with yellow-veined throats, followed by bristly seed heads; the old bark peels. Introduced by Ernest Wilson in 1901 and an easy, very hardy shrub on any soil.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Valerian Valeriana officinalis
- Haskap (honeyberry) Lonicera caerulea
- Red valerian Centranthus ruber
- Common honeysuckle (woodbine) Lonicera periclymenum
- Weigela Weigela florida
- Field scabious Knautia arvensis
- Twinflower Linnaea borealis