Glossy abelia(Abeliaxgrandiflora)is often described as a problematical works . In fact , Carol Robacker , one of the horticulturalists involved with the abelia breeding program at University of Georgia , described abelia this way : “ Around here , we call abelia the gas station plant . You could imbed it beside a gas station surrounded by mineral pitch and draw a blank about it , and it would still survive and thrive . ”
But abelia is not just tough , it ’s also beautiful . It adds colorful , fragrant bloom when most other flowering bush have succumbed to summertime heat , or to summer teetotal spells , or have just apparently tuckered out .
HISTORY
Abelia , a formerly recognizedgenus that contained about 30 species and loanblend , was placed in the honeysuckle family , Caprifoliaceae , in 2013 . These deciduous and evergreen shrubs are aboriginal to eastern Asia ( Japan west to the Himalayas ) and southern North America ( Mexico ) . The genus name honor Dr. Clarke Abel ( 1780 - 1826 ) , physician and naturalist , who collected seeded player and flora as part of a British expedition to China in 1817 . All of Abel ’s seminal fluid and plants , however , were lost in a wreck on the homeward ocean trip . Living plant ofAbelia chinensis(nowLinnaea chinensis ) were first imported to England in 1844 by Robert Fortune .
A recent report by Kew Gardens separated the 30 species of Abelia into four genera . unexampled cultivar , peculiarly from the very popularAbeliaxgrandiflora(glossy abelia),have proliferate , with over 30 mentioned in the lit . A. x grandiflorais a crossbreeding betweenA. chinensis(Chinese abelia ) andA. uniflora .
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
Glossy abeliais a multi - caulescent shrub which feature clusters of white , toll - form flowers ( to 3/4″ long ) with a persistent , reddish calyx which gives the flowers a pink speck . Flowers are fragrant and bid a continuous bloom from other summer to lessen . Ovate , glossy , opposite , moody green leaves are pinkish when new and ferment violet - bronze in autumn . The bark is exfoliate . A. x grandifloraprefers an acidic , dampish , well - drain site but tolerates clay , damp , or dry ground . A thin layer of mulch is recommended so that the soil can drain . The bush is by and large cold - hardy to about 0ºF. , althoughsome varieties are more or less patient of of uttermost cold . It arise in Zones 6 - 9 , but it reach a larger size when grown in warmer climate . In Zones 5 - 6 , stem can die back to the basis in winter . It is evergreen , semi - deciduous , or deciduous , count on the hardiness zone .
On average , the shrub grows 3 - 6 ’ marvelous and wide . Cultivars offer a image of sizes , including dwarf shrub desirable for container . Its arching habit does well when left unpruned . However , if you choose a tidier facial expression , prune in late winter / early spring becauseA.xgrandiflorablooms on novel Ellen Price Wood . It can also go severe pruning if that becomes necessary . Plants occasionally produce improbable , vigorous shoot that are typical of the metal money and not the cultivar ( hereditary relapse to the parental characteristic ) . These vigorous shoots should be removed to the base .
ABELIA CULTIVARS
There are many cultivars offer different shrub sizing , blossom color , and foliation color that switch from summertime through fall . The cultivars are heat and drought resistant . Although they flower best in full sun , they also tolerate fond refinement .
exemplar ofA. x grandifloraCultivars :
A. x grandiflora‘Rose Creek ’ . picture : Susan Martin
A Sampling of Other Cultivars :
‘ Edward Goucher’was introduced in 1911 by Edward Goucher of the United States Department of Agriculture . A cross betweenA. xgrandifloraandshumannii , the shrub typically grow to 2 - 3′ tall in colder zones and to 5 ’ tall in Zones 8 - 9 . It is less cold-blooded hardy than glossy abelia and does best in Zones 6a and affectionate . Clusters of lavender - garden pink , funnel - shape blossom ( to 3/4″ long ) with orangish - yellow throats bloom from mid - summertime into fall . Ovate , glossy , black green leaves turn purple - bronze in fall .
Abelia mosanensis , fragrant or Korean abelia , is an evergreen or semi - evergreen hybrid species that reaches a stature of 4 - 6 ’ or more , has specially fragrant flower , and a short prime period ( May to June ) . Its bright cat valium , ovate leaves often have a bronze or reddish shade when emerging . The flush bud are rich reddish - pink and undefendable to white funnel shape - form flowers . The obovate sepals often have an attractive pinkish tint and persist long after the flowers fall . Note : This shrub flower on old wood , so prune decently after flowering .
POLLINATORS
Abelia appeal hummingbird , butterflies , and bees .
PEST AND DISEASE PROBLEMS
Abelia exhibits no serious pest or disease problems , and is very immune to deer . It also tolerates aviation pollution .
OTHER POSITIVES
The Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council ( GA - EPPC ) recommendsAbelia x grandifloraand glossy abelia cultivar as alternatives to non - aboriginal bush that are invasive . ( The GA - EPPC cautions that invasiveness could become a broker at some point in the hereafter for any of the urge alternate plants . ) ThisGA - EPPC siteprovides lean of non - native invasives ; non - native alternatives ; and aboriginal alternatives . There are lists for tree , shrub , vines , groundcovers , ornamental supergrass , and herbaceous perennials .
Abeliaxgrandiflorais also included on a listing ofdrought - tolerant shrubscompiled by Clemson University Extension in August , 2016 .
HOW TO practice ABELIAS
Because of their compact frame , abelias are often used as instauration plants . The tall mixed bag are used for borders or hedges . The dwarf form are suitable for containers or massed on side for attractive shrubby cover version and wearing control condition . Abelias ’ hardiness and adaptability make them a popular choice for commercial landscapes and for demanding surroundings such as parking lots .
SUMMARY
If you are looking for a bush that will keep blooming through the end of summertime when most other flora have wave the white flag , consider the abelia . Though not native , it does not demonstrate trespassing prop . It is deer , pest , and disease immune . It draw in many different pollinator . It offers a variety of colorful blooms and foliage that evolves in color as the season advance . Who would n’t make space in their garden for such an undemanding , rewarding bungle ?
source
Abelia , NC State Extension , https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu / industrial plant / all / abelia - x - grandiflora/
“ Suggested Alternatives to Non - aboriginal Invasive Plants , ” Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council , https://www.gaeppc.org / alternatives/
“ works That Tolerate Drought , ” Clemson University Extension , https://hgic.clemson.edu / factsheet / plants - that - tolerate - drought/
Glossy Abelia , Abelia x grandiflora , Virginia Cooperative Extension , https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/3010/3010 - 1488/3010 - 1488.html
Abelia x grandiflora , http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org / PlantFinder / PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode = j150
“ Two New Abelias : Beautiful and Deer Resistant , ” Moya Andrews , Indiana public medium , https://indianapublicmedia.org / focusonflowers / two - novel - abelias/
Abelia ‘ Edward Goucher’,http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org / PlantFinder / PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode = a930
“ The Sweet Smell of Spring : Abelia Mosanesis , ” Nancy Rose , Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University , http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu / pdf / articles/2013 - 70 - 4 - the - sweet - smell - of - spring - abelia - mosanensis.pdf
Abelia x grandiflora ‘ Kaleidoscope,’http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org / PlantFinder / PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=359785&isprofile=1&gen = abelia
“ New Varieties cater a Host of Bloom Colors , Plant Sizes , ” University of Georgia , https://www.griffin.uga.edu / news / new - varieties - provide - host - bloom - colouring material - plant - sizes
‘ Raspberry Profusion ’ and ‘ Lavender Mist ’ : “ New Abelia Cultivars for the Landscape , ” HortScience , http://hortsci.ashspublications.org / content/2025-02-27.4.abstract
“ Abelia : A industrial plant made for Georgia summer , Daily Citizen - News , http://www.dailycitizen.news / news / lifestyles / abelia - a - plant - made - for - georgia - summertime / article_229d2687 - 8db6 - 555a-8e36 - 8be1b4921ce6.html
Dirr ’s cyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs ( Dirr , Michael , 2011 )
