Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
New
Kolkwitzia amabilis
beauty bush
Kolkwitzia amabilis, more charmingly known as the beauty bush, lives up to its name with a show that turns heads every late spring. Its arching branches, clothed in fresh green leaves, soon become smothered with clouds of soft pink to near-white, bell-shaped blooms, each flower delicately brushed with a golden-yellow throat. From a distance, the effect is frothy and romantic, while up close the fine details are irresistible—the conspicuously hairy calyces and stalks give each cluster of flowers a faintly mischievous texture, as though they were stitched together by hand. With its peeling bark adding year-round character, Kolkwitzia amabilis is no shrinking violet; it’s a shrub that knows how to put on a performance.
In gardens, Kolkwitzia amabilis can grow into a dense, arching shrub of up to 3 metres tall, making it an excellent candidate for borders, backdrops, or simply as a standalone specimen where it can flaunt its beauty without competition. Its suckering habit means it gradually fills out, creating a billowing form that looks almost cloud-like when in full flower. Even when not in bloom, the structure and bark bring visual interest, ensuring it earns its keep throughout the seasons. For those who love shrubs with both poise and personality, Kolkwitzia amabilis offers a blend of romantic flowers, textural detail, and architectural presence that few others can rival.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Kolkwitzia amabilis
- Flower colour
- White, pink
- Established height
- 2.5-4m
- Established spread
- 2.5-4m
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Clump-forming
Upright - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 6 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
-
Sheltered
Exposed - Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- RHS Award (AGM)
- No
- Scented
- Yes
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Clay
Loam
Multipurpose compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade
Dappled shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Perfect for pots
Fragrant
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Drought tolerant
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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Every bulb and plant is sourced, selected and prepared with an expert eye for their quality and garden performance.
