Plant beauty bush in spring or fall, with the top of the root ball even with the soil, and leave about 8 feet so the stems can arch.
Plant in spring or fall, with the root ball at the soil line
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Spring, or fall while the soil is still warm | Do not plant into frozen ground or into midsummer heat |
| Hole | As deep as the root ball and twice as wide | Do not dig a deep pit that holds water |
| Depth | Set the top of the root ball even with the surrounding soil | Do not bury the flare or leave the ball sitting high and dry |
| Spacing | About 8 feet from walls, paths, and other large shrubs | Do not park it against a foundation and expect room to arch |
Beauty bush moves well from a nursery pot when it is still young. Spring gives the roots a season before heat. Fall works when the soil is still warm and the air is cooler. [1] Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Set the plant so the top of the ball is even with the surrounding soil, backfill, and water it in the same day so the soil settles around the roots. [2] Leave about 8 feet from a wall, a path, or the next large shrub. A mature plant is 6 to 10 feet tall and wide, so a tight corner is the usual reason it looks cramped later. [3] Give it well-drained ground and room to develop from the start, rather than counting on later cuts to keep it small. [4] Water it in, then keep the soil moist through the first season. Mulch 1 to 2 inches deep, and keep the mulch a few inches off the stems so bark does not stay wet.
- Pick spring, or fall while the soil is still warm. Do not plant into frozen ground or into midsummer heat.
- Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide.
- Set the plant so the top of the root ball sits even with the surrounding soil. Do not bury the flare.
- Backfill, firm gently, and water thoroughly. Space plants about 8 feet apart, and keep mulch off the stems.
When should I plant beauty bush?
Plant in spring, or in fall while the soil is still warm. Skip frozen ground and midsummer heat.
How far apart do I plant beauty bush?
Leave about 8 feet from walls, paths, and other large shrubs so the stems can arch.
If a new plant yellows, the hole is holding water or the ball was buried. Reset it even with the soil in a hole that drains, and water it through the first season.
FAQ
Can I plant it in summer if that is when I bought it?
Keep it in the nursery pot, in light shade, and water it until early fall. A summer plant-out in heat is the usual reason a new plant stalls.
How do I water it after it is in the ground?
Keep the soil moist through the first year, then soak it in a long dry spell. That calendar is on How to Grow Beauty Bush.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Harvest to Table -
https://harvesttotable.com/how-to-grow-kolkwitzia/ - [2] Epic Gardening -
https://www.epicgardening.com/beauty-bush/ - [3] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/kolkwitzia-amabilis/ - [4] Virginia Cooperative Extension -
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/2901/2901-1036/2901-1036.pdf
This note is part of Kolkwitzia Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors