Glossy abelia
Abelia x grandiflora · Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae)
| Hardiness zones | 6 to 9 |
|---|---|
| Sun | full sun to part shade |
| Water | moderate |
| Life cycle | perennial |
| Frost | Hardy: takes frost |
About Glossy abelia
Glossy abelia is a dense, rounded shrub with shiny leaves and small white-to-pink bell flowers from late spring until fall. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds visit it, and pink sepals hang on after the petals drop. Many compact and colorful-leaf cultivars exist, and it rarely has pest problems.
Zones 6-9; semi-evergreen in the South, and in zones 6-7 a hard winter can kill it back to the ground.
When to plant
Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.
Plant in a sheltered spot in colder zones. Flowers best in full sun; drought tolerant once established.
Soil
Moist, well-drained loam, clay or sand; acid to alkaline pH. It dislikes salty soil.
Loosen the soil and work in compost; follow a soil test before adding fertilizer.
Feeding
- Established plants: spring as growth begins (a split feeding can follow in early summer): Slow-release shrub fertilizer, about 3-1-1 or 3-1-2 ratio (3-0-1 if the soil test shows enough phosphorus). Follow a soil test. Spread it evenly over the root zone and water it in; for slow-release types Clemson's upper limit is 2-4 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year.
Abelia needs very little care once established; heavy feeding isn't needed.
Harvest
Blooms late spring to fall, heaviest in June-July, on new growth. Prune in late winter or early spring; it rarely needs more.
Varieties (16)
| Variety | Type | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon Creek | Coppery-pink new leaves turning yellow-green; light pink flowers; 4-6 ft. | ||
| Confetti | Cream-variegated leaves that take on red tones in cool weather. | ||
| Edward Goucher | Compact, 3-5 ft, with lavender-pink flowers. | ||
| Francis Mason | Yellow-green leaves and pink flowers. | ||
| Hopleys | Compact with variegated leaves and white flowers. | ||
| Kaleidoscope | Leaves change through many colors; white flowers. | ||
| Little Richard | Compact to about 3 ft; bright red new leaves, white flowers, pink fall color. | ||
| Mardi Gras | Creamy-white and green variegated leaves, pink-tinted new growth, red stems. | ||
| Prostrata | Low, spreading form with white flowers. | ||
| Radiance | Bright variegated leaves and vivid red stems. | ||
| Rose Creek | Leaves turn purple-green in winter. | ||
| Ruby Anniversary | Reddish leaves in spring and fall; white flowers. | ||
| Sherwoodii | Dwarf to about 3 ft with small leaves and flowers. | ||
| Silver Anniversary | Fragrant pinkish-white flowers. | ||
| Sunrise | Green, yellow and cream variegated leaves; tends to revert to green. | ||
| Sunshine Daydream | Compact with three-color leaves and fragrant flowers. |
Pests to watch for
Aphids
In the kitchen
Pets: Not listed as toxic by the ASPCA (no abelia entry)
Sources
Photo: Photo: Mariko GODA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Photo resized for the web.
Planting dates and advice are general guidance; check with your local Cooperative Extension office for your area.