Beauty Bush, Kolkwitzia amabilis, Seeds


Fast, Hardy, Adaptable, Easy to Grow, Showy Flowering Shrub, Exfoliating Bark, Fall Color, Cold, Drought, Wind Tolerant


The Beauty Bush is an absolutely gorgeous large flowering shrub that remains in bloom for several weeks. A stunning specimen to add to any garden. As a member of the honeysuckle family, beautybush is closely related to Weigela and Diervilla. It is primarily grown for its outstanding spring flowers. It is a deciduous shrub that typically grows 6 to 10 feet tall with an arching, vase-shaped habit (somewhat fountain-like). Bell-shaped, pink flowers with yellow throats appear in clusters (corymbs to 3 inches wide) in a vast profusion of mid-spring bloom (late April to early May). Flowers are followed by capsule-like fruits that usually persist on the plants. Broad-ovate dark green leaves, 1 to 3 inches long, turn yellow to reddish in fall. Exfoliating bark on mature stems provides some winter interest. Genus name honors Richard Kolkwitz, 20th century German botany professor.

Other Names: Beauty Bush

Zone: 4 to 8

Growth Rate: Fast-Moderate

Plant Type: Deciduous flowering shrub

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Native Range: Central China
Height: 6 to 10 feet
Spread: 6 to 8 feet
Shape: upright arching habit

Bloom Time: April - May

Bloom Color: Pink with yellow throat
Flower/Fruit: Bell-shaped, pink flowers with yellow throats followed by capsule-like fruits.

Sun: Full Sun to Part Sun

Fall Color: Yellow to Red

Drought Tolerance: Medium-High

Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low

Site Requirements /Soil Tolerances: Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Best flowering is in full sun.

Culture: Prune out dead wood as needed. Shrub stems tend to become dense and overgrown after several years, in which case thinning stems or cutting back all stems to the ground may be advisable. Hard pruning to the ground may be performed in late winter or immediately after flowering. Plants bloom on old wood, so hard pruning in late winter will result in loss of bloom for the season, but plant stems will grow taller during the season.

Uses: May be massed or grown as a screen or hedge on larger properties. Marginally ornamental for use as a specimen in lawns, shrub borders or foundations.


Sowing Kolkwitzia amabilis Seeds:

Beauty Bush seeds possess a thick, impermeable seed-coat which prevents or significantly retards germination.

For best results, please follow the instructions in the order provided.

Scarify: Pour Hot water over seed. Soak for 24 hours.

Stratify: Cold 90 days, 40 Degrees F in a Moist Medium.

Germination: Sow 1/4” Deep

For more information about seed pretreatment and growing trees and shrubs from seed, please download this .pdf:

https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2007/08/fcpg018.pdf


Germination:

  1. Seeds Packets are labeled with seed name and sowing details.
  2. Seeds have not been pretreated unless specified in the listing.
  3. Seed is not a specific Cultivar (Variety) unless specified in the listing.
  4. Due to the many factors involved in successful germination, Seller cannot be responsible for buyers growing methods or mistakes.
  5. I have provided what I believe to be a good overview on this page (which you are free to print for further reference), however, it is still recommended to check specialist literature for more details and practices specific to your climate and soil conditions to avoid mistakes in the germination and growing process.

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