Kolkwitzia amabilis Pink Cloud - Beauty Bush

The Kolkvitzia amabilis "Pink Cloud"of undeniably deserves its name Beauty Bush. If it is known and used, it is never enough, as its rather late spring flowering is enchanting. The entire bush, which reaches beautiful dimensions, then disappears under a profusion of small bell-shaped flowers, forming a pink and fragrant cloud when struck by the sun. A cousin of abelias and honeysuckles, this plant should be present in all gardens, as a free hedge or in shrub borders. Not content with being very beautiful, it is truly easy to cultivate: without soil requirements and perfectly hardy, it is also resistant to summer drought in deep soil. 

Kolkwitzia amabilis belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family, just like weigelas and honeysuckles. This deciduous shrub is native to the mountains of central China, where it grows on the edge of forests. Its habit is very bushy, slightly spreading, due to its ability to sucker lightly. Over the years, it takes on a very elegant silhouette supported by flexible stems that gracefully arch under the weight of the flowers in late spring. Its rapid growth allows it to reach 3m (9 ft 10 in) in all directions within 4 to 6 years, sometimes 5m (16 ft 5 in) depending on the growing conditions. This shrub develops numerous vigorous, erect, and then trailing branches at the tips. "Pink Cloud" is a variety that differs from the species by its slightly brighter, more intense pink colour flowers. This dense and abundant flowering plant, in generous and compact corymbs of 5 to 6cm (2 to 2.4 in) in diameter, literally covers the shrub for 3 weeks, usually in May. Each flower emerges from a deep pink bud. When fully open, it resembles a small elongated bell, 1 to 2cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) in diameter, pale pink on the outside, with the interior almost white and speckled with yellow-orange. The flowering is fragrant in warm and calm weather, attracting numerous pollinating insects. The leaves, deciduous, ovate, 3.5cm (1.4 in) long, medium green in color, matte, are arranged in opposite pairs. They appear before the flowering and sometimes take on beautiful purple hues in autumn. Mature specimens have a beautiful exfoliating brown bark.

The kolkwitzia amabilis is loved in country hedges and shrub borders, recognizing its ornamental value. The refined and delicate aspect of this shrub, as well as its robustness, make it an interesting subject for both individual planting, mass planting, and free hedges with abelias, tamarisks, cotinus, or even botanical roses. Kolkwitzia amibilis are very hardy and do not care about the nature of the soil. Their only requirement is to be protected from prevailing winds that damage their flowering. Take advantage of all these qualities by adding a touch of originality. The flowering branches of Kolkvitzia amibilis can also be used to create beautiful bouquets.