Kolkwitzia, better known as the beauty bush, lives up to its name with a spring display that’s difficult to ignore. This deciduous shrub forms arching stems that cascade under the weight of countless bell-shaped flowers, usually in soft pink tones with golden throats. When Kolkwitzia bursts into bloom, it creates clouds of blossom that seem to float above its fresh green leaves, making it a memorable addition to any garden. Even when not flowering, its habit and textured foliage bring structure to borders.

Kolkwitzia is happiest in sunny or lightly shaded sites with well-drained soil, and once settled it will reward you with reliable displays year after year. Its loose, fountain-like form makes Kolkwitzia ideal as a specimen shrub, but it also works in mixed plantings where its seasonal fireworks can shine against a backdrop of darker evergreens. A genus with charm in both leaf and flower, Kolkwitzia more than justifies its reputation as one of the prettiest spring-flowering shrubs.