Beautybush is an old-fashioned favorite spring-flowering shrub. Introduced from China in 1901, this species has long arching branches weighed down by abundant displays of trumpet-shaped pink flowers in May in the Chicago region. Flower buds are burgundy, opening into pink flowers that flare out into five pale pink or white lobes. The throats are marked with yellow and covered in long white hairs. The ovate leaves are in pairs, with tapering tips. Beautybushes grow in sun or light shade, are tolerant of clay, and can take drought once they are established. Due to their large size, they are best suited as a background plant. They become very large and leggy, and need occasional renewal pruning (immediately after flowering) to maintain their shape.