Kolkwitzia

Kolkwitzia (Queen's Bush): your spring favourite with charm and elegance

Kolkwitzia, better known as Queen's Bush, is one of the most graceful shrubs for spring. In May and June, it transforms into a sea of soft pink flowers. Afterwards, it continues to captivate with its fresh green leaves and overhanging branches. With its romantic appearance, Kolkwitzia fits perfectly in large gardens. Kolkwitzia Adorabelle® stands out in the Proven Winners® range as this variety, with a height of 120-140 cm, remains much smaller and more compact than the conventional varieties, which can reach heights of up to 300 cm. This means that this beautiful shrub can also be used in smaller gardens. 

Where and how to use Kolkwitzia in your garden

Kolkwitzia is a real mood creator that can be used in various ways. Plant it on its own and it will steal the show with its cloud of flowers in late spring. In a border, it works beautifully as an eye-catcher among other flowering shrubs. Because it grows quite wide naturally, the compact Adorabelle® from Proven Winners® is a smart choice for smaller gardens, as it only grows to about 140 cm high and wide!

How Kolkwitzia grows and flowers

Kolkwitzia is a deciduous shrub that naturally adopts a broad, airy growth habit. In its mature form, it often reaches a height of 2 to 3 metres, with gracefully overhanging branches. The flowers are trumpet-shaped, usually soft pink with a yellow centre, and appear in dense clusters, covering the shrub almost entirely with flowers for a short period. 

After flowering, the flowers fall off, but the foliage remains attractive. This combination of flowering and foliage accents makes Kolkwitzia a versatile plant that is attractive in multiple seasons. 

The ideal location and conditions for Kolkwitzia

Kolkwitzia thrives best in full sun to partial shade, so that it gets enough light to flower profusely. The soil must be well-drained, as it does not tolerate wet feet. Preferably use nutritious, loose soil.

When planting, dig a hole wide enough for the root ball to spread out, and mix some garden soil or compost into the excavated soil to improve its structure. During the initial growth periods, regular watering is important to stimulate root growth. Once the shrub is well established, it is highly drought tolerant.

Maintenance you hardly notice

Kolkwitzia does not require much maintenance. The timing of pruning is important: immediately after flowering is ideal, so that you do not accidentally prune away next year's flower buds. Remove old or weakened branches to maintain the airy shape and promote growth.

Young plants can be given a little extra water in dry summers, and an annual application of compost or organic material helps to maintain vitality. Fertiliser is not necessary; the shrub thrives in average garden soil.

Kolkwitzia in your garden!

Kolkwitzia (beauty bush) is the star of spring, bringing colour and softness. In May and June, it fills the garden with soft pink flowers, and outside the flowering season, it surprises you with fresh green leaves and an elegant silhouette. The Adorabelle® selection from Proven Winners® offers the advantages of this beauty, but in a compact format: perfect for those who seek beauty without excess.

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