Pruning is best done during late winter to remove canes that are old and have lost their vigor at the base. Heavy pruning every 2 to 3 years retains good shape and promotes good flowering. Plants cut back by frost typically regrow in spring.
Propagation can be from softwood cuttings in spring and summer or half-hardened cuttings in late fall and winter. Abelias are not typically bothered by pests or disease.
Deer generally do not eat Abelia.
* photo taken on October 17 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
* photos taken on July 15 2014 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014
Abelia chinensis ( Chinese Abelia )
A very beautiful shrub native to central and eastern China that can reach up to 6.5 x 8 feet in 5 years and a maximum size of 12 x 18 feet.
The minutely-toothed, ovate leaves are up to 1.8 inches in length. The foliage is glossy mid-green.
The abundant, moderately-fragrant, white ( with rosy tints ) flowers are borne mid-summer into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 in sun or shade. A perennial in zone 5 growing back very quickly each season. Moderately salt tolerant.
* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC
* photo taken on Feb 8 2015 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC
* photos taken on Sep 3 2017 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
* photo taken on Aug 4 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC
* photos taken on July 10 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
Abelia coreana ( Korean Abelia )
A moderate growing shrub reaching a maximum size of 8 feet that is native to Siberia, Korea and northwest China.
The ovate or elliptical leaves are up to 2.2 x 1.7 inches in size. The foliage is mid-green.
The fragrant, pink, tubular flowers, up to 0.8 inches in length, are borne during early summer lasting for a month, often also sporadically until early autumn.
Hardy north to zone 5
Abelia corymbosa
A slow growing shrub reaching a maximum size of 13 feet that is native to central Asia ( Pamira Alay and Tien Shan mountains ).
The dull green leaves are up to 2.2 x 1 inch.
The white ( often tinged pink ), tubular flowers, up to 0.8 inches in length, are borne June through August.
Hardy north to zone 5
Abelia 'Edward Goucher'
A fast growing, arching, compact, medium sized, semi-evergreen shrub reaching up to 6 feet or more that is the hybrid between Abelia grandiflora and A. schumannii. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 6 feet; 5 years - 5 x 5 feet; 10 years - 6.8 x 8.7 feet; largest on record - 8 x 9 feet.
The oval leaves, up to 2 x 0.8 inches, are bronze at first turning to glossy bright green then back to bronze in late autumn.
The abundant, deep lilac-pink, funnel-shaped flowers with 2 lobed pink calyces are borne from early summer until fall frost.
Hardy zones 5 to 9.
* photo taken on October 17 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
* photos taken on July 17 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 25 2013 @ University of Maryland, College Park
* photo taken on Aug 5 2015 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Oct 4 2016 in Howard Co., MD
* photos taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA
* photo taken on June 9 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 24 2017 @ U.S. Botanic Garden, Wash. DC.
* photo taken on Aug 30 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 27 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Nov 23 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 9 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 6 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Aug 9 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 20 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Sep 2 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Nov 23 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Dec 5 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 9 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 20 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 2 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Aug 7 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 14 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 27 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Nov 11 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on July 21 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 13 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Oct 22 2024 in Columbia, MD
Abelia engleriana
Also called Abelia graebneriana. A rare, vigorous, shrub with peeling bark reaching a maximum size of 10 x 6 ( rarely over 6 ) feet that is native to western China ( western Hubei & Sichuan ).
The ovate leaves, up to 2.5 x 1.4 ( rarely over 1.5 ) inches in size, are glossy bright green.
The orange-pink to r0se-pink ( with a yellow throat ) flowers, up to an inch in length are borne during mid-summer.
The young shoots are red.
Hardy zones 5 to 9
* photos taken by Milan Havlis owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery
'Vedrariensis'
Larger foliage
Abelia floribunda ( Mexican Abelia )
A somewhat open, evergreen shrub native to the mountains of southern Mexico that reaches up to 10 x 6.6 feet in 10 years and a maximum size of 23 x 13 feet.
The deep green leaves up to 2 inches in length are similar to that of Abelia x grandiflora but are less glossy and slightly smaller.
The brilliant crimson red 4 sepalled tubular flowers up to 2 inches in length are borne in pendulous clusters from early summer to fall.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 ( zone 7 against a warm sunny south facing wall )
Abelia x grandiflora ( Glossy Abelia )
A fast growing, dense arching shrub reaching around 8 feet or more that is the hybrid between Abelia chinensis & A. uniflora. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 6 feet; 3 years - 6 x 6 feet; 10 years - 10 x 10 feet; largest on record - 18 x 20 ( rarely over 13 x 13 ) feet. The very vigorous and long-lived Glossy Abelia can be kept smaller by shearing. It makes an excellent informal hedge. Glossy Abelia is very long-lived, persisting up to 80 years or more.
The leaves are up to 2.5 x 1 inch in size. They are glossy, deep green above and paler beneath in summer turning to orange and red during winter. It is one of the first shrubs to leaf out in spring and one of the last to drop its foliage during autumn.
In warmer regions it can be evergreen.
The pinkish-white funnel shaped flowers up to an inch are borne singly or in small clusters from June to as late as November. The flowers attract butterflies.
The young stems are red-brown and smooth with opposite borne lateral shoots.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 though may be grown in zone 5 as a dieback perennial that reaches up to 3 feet each season. Temperatures of -5 to -10 F will kill back the stems to ground level.
* photo taken on October 15 2010 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 25 2011 @ Swarthmore College, PA
* photo taken on July 10 2013 in Howard Co., MD
* photo taken on Nov 10 2014 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on July 15 2015 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 23 2015 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on July 25 2016 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Aug 1 2016 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Dec 3 2016 in Clarksville, MD
* photo taken on Aug 16 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Sep 20 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 26 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 7 2019 @ Univ. of Maryland, College Park
* photo taken on July 2 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 25 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 28 2022 in Catonsville, MD
'Bronze Anniversary'
Vigorous, dense and rounded in habit, reaching up to 4 x 4 feet.
The bronze-orange foliage matures to lime-gold. The ovateleaves are up to 1.3 x 0.7 inches in size.
The abundant, white flowers, up to 1.1 x 0.7 inches in size, are borne from early summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 9.
'Canyon Creek'
Fast growing, reaching up to 7 x 8 feet at maturity. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 5 feet; 3 years - 4 x 3 feet; 6 years - 7 x 7 feet. It is an introduction from Dr. Michael Dirr at the University of Georgia.
The attractive foliage is yellowish-green.
The flowers are pink.
Hardy north to zone 6.
* photos taken on Aug 5 2016 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Nov 14 2016 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 21 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 9 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 4 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on July 7 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 21 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 21 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Apr 21 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 5 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Oct 29 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 5 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 19 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Apr 16 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 8 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 16 2020 in Elkridge, MD
* photo taken on June 29 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 9 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Oct 2 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 23 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Aug 21 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 26 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Apr 22 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 2 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Apr 8 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Nov 13 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 7 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 23 2024 in Columbia, MD
'Confetti'
A fast growing, dense, low, spreading shrub, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 6 feet that may be used for groundcover.
The foliage is deep green with a creamy-white margin that turns rose-pink in winter. The ovate leaves are up to 1.1 x 0.7 inches in size. It is a variegated sport of 'Sherwood'
The showy, pure white flowers, up to 1.1 x 0.7 inches in size, appear all summer long.
Hardy north to zone 6.
* photos taken by Milan Havlis owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery
'Francis Mason'
Very similar to A. x grandiflora except with foliage that is yellow in spring turning to yellow-green during summer.
Reaches an average of 4.4 x 4.6 feet in 4 years, with an eventual maximum size of 8 x 9 ( rarely over 6 ) feet.
* photo taken in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 4 2010 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
'Golden Anniversary'
Compact and mounded; reaching up to 3 x 3 feet in 5 years, with an eventual maximum size of 2.5 x 6 ( rarely over 2 x 4 ) feet.
The bright green foliage is boldly bordered golden-yellow all season long.
The flowers are pure white.
'Golden Fleece'
Fast growing, reaching up to 6 x 6 feet.
The very attractive foliage is deep yellow at first, later turning to green.
The abundant flowers are white with pink sepals.
'John Creech'
Compact in habit, reaching up to 6 x 6 feet.
The glossy mid-green foliage turns to deep purple during autumn.
The white flowers appear all summer long, often lasting until autumn frost.
Hardy zones 6 to 9, the most cold hardy Abelia x grandiflora cultivar.
* photo taken on Oct 4 2016 in Howard Co., MD
* photo taken on Nov 30 2016 in Howard Co., MD
* photos taken on Sep 23 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Sep 15 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 26 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 12 2023 in Columbia, MD
'Kaleidoscope'
A moderate growing to vigorous, dense, compact, spreading shrub, reaching up to 2.5 x 4 feet in 4 years, with an eventual maximum size of 4 x 5.5 ( rarely over 3 x 5 ) feet.
The new foliage is bright yellow with a green center. The foliage turns to fiery red with a yellow-pink border during autumn. The leaves are up to 1.3 x 0.6 inches in size.
The flowers, up to 1 inch long, are light pink in bud opening to pure white.
Hardy north to zone 6, evergeen north to zone 7 ( may be grown in 5 as a perennial on protected sites )
* photos taken on Nov 28 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 18 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 3 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on May 10 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 28 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 9 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 5 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 23 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 30 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 3 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 26 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 14 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 3 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 26 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on May 17 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 22 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 14 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Nov 16 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Dec 14 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 31 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 16 2024 in Columbia, MD
'Little Gold'
Compact, dense and rounded in habit, reaching up to 0.8 x 0.8 feet in the first year, eventually to 3.3 x 3.3 feet. It originated as a chemical-induced plant mutation of Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’at a plant breeding facility in Australia during 2014
The foliage is bright golden-yellow at first, turning to lime green. The red stems result in interesting contrast. The leaves are up to 1.1 x 0.6 inches in size.
The flowers are similar to that of 'Kaleidoscope.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
* patent photo
'Little Richard'
Dense and compact, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet in 5 years, eventually to 4 x 4 feet.
The glossy deep green foliage turns anywhere from pinkish-orange to purplish-bronze during autumn.
The abundant white flowers appear from early summer until autumn frosts.
Hardy zones 6 to 10
* photo taken on Sep 5 2012 in Burtonsville, MD
* photo taken on Aug 30 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 6 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Nov 16 2023 in Columbia, MD
'Mardi Gras'
A moderate growing, spreading shrub, reaching up to 5 x 6 ( rarely over 3 x 5 ) feet. It originated as a branch mutation on a Abelia grandiflora × Abelia chinensis hybrid that was planted as part of a breeding program in North Carolina.
The glossy foliage is gray-green and boldly edged creamy-white. The variegation turns to rosy-pink during fall and winter. The oval leaves are up to 1.1 x 0.6 inches in size. The foliage contrasts nicely with the red stems.
The very fragrant, pinkish-white flowers, up to 0.8 inches long, are borne in inflorescences up to 2.4 x 2.4 inches in size. They appear early summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 9.
* photos taken on Sep 5 2012 in Burtonsville, MD
* photo taken on May 4 2017 in Columbia, MD
'Miss Lemon'
Moderate growing, compact and rounded in habit, reaching up to 3 x 4 feet.
The foliage is bright green with a bold yellow border with the variegation later turning to creamy-white.
The abundant, light pink flowers appear early summer until mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 9
* photo taken on Sep 10 2022 in Elkridge, MD
'Peach Perfection'
Moderate growing, compact, dense and rounded in habit, reaching up to 0.5 x 1.3 feet in the first season from cuttings, eventually to 4 x 3 feet. It is a hybrid of Abelia chinensis and Abelia x grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ that originated in a planned breeding program in West Grove, PA in 2010.
The foliage is orange at first, turning to deep yellow then to lime-green. The red stems contract nicely with the foliage. The ovate leaves are up to 1 x 0.6 inches in size.
The fragrant flowers, up to 1.3 inches in length, are white with deep pink bracts. They appear all summer long.
Hardy zones 6 to 9
* photo taken on May 16 2022 in Elkridge, MD
* photo taken on Sep 16 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 8 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Nov 13 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 12 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 7 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 28 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Dec 4 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Apr 19 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 15 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 22 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Aug 24 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 14 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Nov 2 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Nov 6 2024 in Columbia, MD
'Petite Garden'
Moderate growing, compact, dense, rounded in habit, up to 1.7 x 2.5 feet in 2 year, eventually up to 2.6 x 3.3 feet.
The foliage is glossy bright green, turning to deep green. The leaves are up to 1 x 0.5 inches in size.
The abundant, lilac flowers appear mid-summer into mid-autumn. The flowers, up to 1 inch long, are borne in inflorescences up to 2 x 2.3 inches in size.
Hardy zones 6b to 9
'Pinky Bells'
A dense, compact, rounded to domed shrub, reaching up to 1.3 x 2.1 feet in 2.5 years, eventually to 3 x 5 feet. It originated in 2003 as the hybrid of Abelia schumannii 'Bumblebee' and Abelia 'Little Richard'.
The foliage is deep red at first, turning to glossy deep green. The foliage turns back to deep red during autumn. The ovate leaves average 1.2 x 0.3 inches in size. The stems are deep red.
The lavender-pink flowers, up to 1.4 x 1.3 inches in size, are borne early summer until autumn frost. They are the largest of any Abelia.
Hardy zones 6+.
* patent photos
'Radiance'
Vigorous, compact, dense and rounded in habit, it reaches up to 2.4 x 4 feet in 3 years, eventually to 3 x 5 ( rarely over 2 x 4 ) feet. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 2 feet.
The foliage is bright green with a creamy-white border, later turning to deep green with a white border, The foliage contrasts nicely with the red stems. The leaves become pink tinged during winter. The leaves are up to 3.3 x 0.6 inches in size.
The fragrant white flowers, up to 1 inch long, appear during mid-summer into mid-autumn
Hardy zones 6 to 9.
* photos taken on Oct 3 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 17 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 15 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 25 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Nov 28 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 11 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 29 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 26 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 7 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 14 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 1 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 28 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 22 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 26 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 17 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 2 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 25 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Aug 20 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 26 2022 in Columbia, MD
'Raspberry Profusion'
Compact in habit, reaching up to 5 x 6 feet in 4 years, eventually up to 5.5 x 7 feet. It originated in 1988 as a hybrid between Abelia ‘Edward Goucher’ and Abelia chinensis
The foliage is glossy mid-green. The lance-shaped leaves are up to 1.3 x 0.7 inches in size.
The abundant, very fragrant, deep rosy-pink flowers appear early summer into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 9
* patent photos
'Rose Creek'
Moderate growing, dense, compact and rounded in habit; it reaches up to 2.5 x 2 feet in 3 years, 3 x 3 feet in 5 years, eventually to 4 x 6 feet. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 2.5 feet; largest on record - 5.3 x 7 feet.
The broad glossy deep-green foliage turns purplish during winter.
The abundant, fragrant, white flowers are borne from late spring until autumn frosts.
Hardy north to zone 6.
* photo taken on October 15 2010 in Howard County, MD
* photos taken on Sep 15 2011 in Howard County, MD
* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC
* photos taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014
* photo taken on Sep 18 2014 in Clarksville, MD
* photos taken on Feb 8 2015 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC
* photo taken on Sep 17 2015 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Sep 15 2016 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Nov 30 2016 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 25 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 3 2017 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
* photo taken on Sep 17 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Nov 5 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Oct 29 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Dec 28 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Sep 3 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 28 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on July 6 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Aug 18 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 31 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 26 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 4 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC
* photos taken on Sep 6 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 29 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Nov 25 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Dec 5 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 21 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 3 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on July 31 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 22 2024 in Columbia, MD
'Ruby Anniversary'
Vigorous and dense, upright-arching, up to 1.3 x 2.2 feet in 3 years from cuttings, eventually to 6 x 6 feet. It originated as an offspring of Abelia chinensis in 2002.
The foliage is deep red at first, maturing to glossy deep green. The leaves turn back to red during autumn. The leaves are up to 1.6 x 0.8 inches in size.
The fragrant flowers, up to 0.8 inches long, are pink in bud opening to white. They are borne in inflorescences up to 2.3 x 2.8 inches in size, are borne from mid-summer until autumn frosts.
Hardy zones 6+, it is hardier than Abelia x grandiflora.
* patent photos
'Sherwood'
Dense, rounded and compact, reaching an average of 4 x 5 feet in 5 years. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 3 feet; largest on record - 5 x 5 feet.
The deep green foliage turns to purple during autumn.
The fragrant, pinkish-white flowers appear mid-summer until autumn frosts.
Hardy zones 6 to 10.
* photos taken in Laurel, MD
* photo taken on Sep 15 2013 in Howard Co., MD
* photos taken on Aug 12 2016 in Howard Co., MD
* photos taken by Milan Havlis owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery
'Silver Anniversary'
A moderate growing, compact, low, rounded shrub, reaching up to 2 x 4 feet in 5 years with an eventual maximum size of 3.7 x 6 feet ( up to 1.5 feet as a dieback perennial ).
The luxuriant mid-green foliage is boldly bordered white; turning to deep red during autumn.
The white flowers appear during summer into autumn.
Hardy north to zone 6.
* photos taken on October 15 2010 in Howard County, MD
* photos taken on Sep 15 2011 in Howard Co., MD
* photos taken on Oct 23 2012 in Harford Co., MD
* photos taken on Sep 22 2013 in Harford Co., MD
* photos taken on June 18 2016 in Harford Co., MD
* photo taken on Aug 24 2017 @ U.S. Botanic Garden, Wash. DC.
'Sunny Anniversary'
Moderate growing, dense, compact and rounded in habit, reaching up to 2.7 x 3.3 feet in 5 years, eventually to 4 x 4 feet.
The foliage is glossy bright green. The ovate leaves are up to 1.1 x 0.6 inches in size.
The large, fragrant, pale yellow to pink flowers are borne mid-summer into mid-autumn. The flowers, up to 0.8 inches long, are borne in inflorescences up to 3.3 inches wide.
Hardy zones 6 to 9
* patent photos
'Sunrise'
A moderate growing, rounded shrub, up to 4 x 5 feet in 3 years, eventually up to 5 x 5 feet.
The foliage is bright green with a golden-yellow edge, later turning to mid blue-green with a creamy-white edge. The foliage develops pinkish tones during the winter. The leaves are up to 1 x 0.6 inches in size.
'Sunshine Daydream'
Fast growing, compact and rounded, reaching up to 5 x 5.5 feet, with foliage that is variegated golden-yellow fading to white. The foliage turns to orange-red during autumn. The leaves are up to 1 x 0.5 inches in size.
The flowers are pinkish-white. They are borne over a long season from mid-summer until autumn frost.
Hardy zones 6 +.
* photo taken on Aug 29 2013 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 21 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 9 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 3 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 5 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 24 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 23 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 27 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 2 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Sep 19 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 27 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Nov 7 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Mar 18 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Apr 22 2024 in Elkridge, MD
* photo taken on May 16 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 4 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 20 2024 in Columbia, MD
'Sunrise'
Moderate growing and dense, rounded in habit, reaching up to 3 x 5 feet in 5 years, eventually 5 x 6 feet. It originated as a branch sport on Abelia × grandiflora in 1966.
The deep green foliage is edged in golden-yellow. The foliage turns to orange and red during autumn.
The pale pink flowers are borne late summer into autumn.
Hardy zones 6+.
'Tres Amigos'
Moderate growing, dense and compact, up to 0.8 x 1.7 feet in 2 years, eventually to 3 x 5 feet. It originated as a branch mutation that was found on Abelia grandiflora in Italy in 2015.
The mid-green foliage is boldly margined creamy-white and pink. The leaf margins turn to pink during autumn. The lance-shaped leaves are up to 1.1 x 0.6 inches in size.
The fragrant, white flowers, up to 1 inch long, appear mid-summer into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 9
* patent photos
'Twist of Lime'
Reaches up to 4.5 x 7 feet, with foliage that is deep green and boldly edged in bright yellow later fading to creamy-white.
The pale pink flowers appear during summer into autumn.
Hardy north to zone 6.
* photo taken on Sep 10 2014 in Mt Airy, MD
* photos taken on July 17 2015 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 17 2015 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Oct 4 2016 in Mt Airy, MD
* photos taken on Oct 13 2016 in Annapolis, MD
* photo taken on Nov 12 2016 in Mt Airy, MD
* photo taken on Sep 7 2017 in Mt Airy, MD
* photos taken on Oct 30 2018 in Annapolis, MD
* photos taken on July 27 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Nov 4 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Dec 10 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 5 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Apr 7 2021 in Annapolis, MD
* photos taken on Apr 15 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Apr 20 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on May 25 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 2 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Aug 26 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Nov 18 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 1 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 6 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 26 2023 in Columbia, MD
'Twist of Vanilla'
A moderage growing, low growing and spreading to mounded shrub, reaching up to 0.8 x 1.6 feet in the second year from cuttings, eventually to 3.3 x 3.3 feet.
The mid-green foliage is margined in white. The color persists well during winter. The leaves are up to 1.6 x 0.7 inches in size.
The white flowers, up to 1 inch long, are borne in inflorescences up to 2 x 2.3 inches in size. The appear mid-summer into mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
* photos taken on Sep 29 2020 in Columbia, MD
'Vanilla Brandy'
Moderate growing, compact and rounded in habit, reaching up to 1.6 x 2 feet in 2 years, eventually reaching up to 3 x 4 feet. It generally has a fuller and more sturdy root system than some other variegated Abelia cultivars.
The foliage is bright green with a pink margin at first, turning to mid-green with a creamy-white border. The foliage turns to rosy-pink during fall and winter. The ovate leaves average 0.8 x 0.3 inches in size.
The bicolor flowers are white with light pink sepals. The flowers are up to 0.8 x 0.3 inches in size.
Hardy zones 6 to 9
* photos taken on May 8 2024 in Ellicott City, MD
* photo taken on May 29 2024 in Columbia, MD
* patent photos
'White Marvel'
A dense, rounded, medium-sized shrub, reaching up to 6 x 6 feet. It originated as a branch sport on Abelia × grandiflora ‘Frances Mason' in Takarazuka City, Japan
The foliage is edged in golden-yellow, the variegation later turning to creamy-white. The ovate leaves are up to 1.6 x 0.7 inches in size.
The very pale pink flowers, up to 0.6 inches wide, appear all summer long.
Hardy zones 6 to 9
* photos taken on Nov 10 2020 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
* photos taken on Aug 1 2022 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
* photos taken on May 6 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
* photos taken on July 10 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
Abelia macrotera
Also called Abelia forrestii. A compact spreading, semi-evergreen shrub, reaching up to 5 x 6 feet, that is native to brushy mountain slopes in much of southern China. It has declined considerably due to environmental destruction and is now endangered in the wild..
The thick, narrowly-elliptical leaves are up to 3 x 0.8 inches in size. The glossy deep green foliage turns to deep red during winter.
The flowers, up to 1.5 inches across, are borne on new wood all summer long.
The flowers are deep lavender-pink with an orange throat.
Hardy zones 6 to 8.
Abelia mosanensis ( Fragrant Abelia )
A large, fast growing, deciduous shrub native to Latvia reaching around 7 feet. Some records include; fastest recorded growth rate - 7 feet; 5 years - 8 x 7 feet; 9 years - 13 feet; largest on record - 13 x 12 feet.
The glossy green foliage turns glowing orange-red during autumn.
The rich pink flowers borne late May to June are more fragrant than even Lilac.
The hardiest of the Abelias, hardy zones 3 to 6, with woody stems surviving as low as -30 F. Pruning when young makes it denser.
* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Washington, D.C.
* photo taken on July 11 2014 in Washington, DC
* photos taken on Apr 17 2016 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC
* photos taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
* photo taken on Nov 10 2020 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
* photos taken on May 6 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
'Sweet Emotion'
Vigorous, dense and upright, rounded in habit, reaching up to 8 x 7 feet. It originated as part of a planned breeding program planned breeding program in Grand Haven, Mich
The glossy foliage turns intense orange-red during autumn. The lance-shaped leaves are up to 3 x 0.9 inches in size.
The pink flower buds open into white flowers during late spring into early summer. The very fragrant flowers, up to 0.6 inches wide, are borne in inflorescences up to 0.6 inches wide.
Hardy zones 4 to 8
* patent photo
Abelia schumannii ( Schumann's Abelia )
Also called Abelia parvifolia. An arching, semi-evergreen shrub native to western China that reaches up to 6 x 7 feet in 5 years, 10 x 9 feet in 10 years and a maximum size of 10 x 13 feet.
The ovate leaves, up to 1.5 inches in length, are bronze during spring later turning to dull deep green.
The funnel-shaped flowers, up to 1.3 inches in length, are pale pink fading to white at the base with a wide white stripe. They are borne in summer & autumn.
The slender young stems are reddish.
Hardy zones 6 to 9. It is both heat and drought tolerant and rarely bothered by insect pests or disease.
'Saxon Gold'
Moderate growing, compact, dense and rounded, reaching up to 1 x 2 feet in 1.5 years, eventually to 4 x 3.3 feet in size.
The foliage is golden-yellow at first, turning to lime-green. The new foliage is often also tinged red in full sun. The ovate leaves are up to 0.8 x 0.6 inches in size.
The pink flowers, up to 0.9 inches long, are borne in inflorescences up to 2.3 inches wide, during late spring into early autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 9
Abelia serrata
A medium-sized, deciduous shrub reaching a maximum size of 8 x 8 ( rarely over 6 ) feet that is native to Japan.
The lance-shaped to ovate leaves are up to 2.2 x 0.6 inches in size. The foliage is mid-green.
The white ( with an orange throat ) flowers, up to 0.7 inches long, are borne during late spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 in full sun to partial shade. It it tolerant of heat, drought and clay.
var. buchwaldii
Intense golden-yellow flowers; otherwise identical to species.
var. sanguinea
Pinkish-red to red flowers; otherwise identical to species.
Abelia spathulata ( Twin Flowering Abelia )
A rounded, deciduous shrub, reaching up to 10 x 8 feet, that is native to Japan and Zhejiang province in China.
The smooth-edged, ovate leaves up to 2.3 x 1.3 inches, are glossy mid green.
The fragrant, white flowers, up to 1.1 inches long, are borne during late spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 8.
var. sanguinea
Bright red flowers; otherwise identical to species.
Abelia triflora ( Himalayan Abelia )
A graceful, fast growing semi-evergreen shrub to small tree reaching up to 15 feet or more that is native to the Himalayas. Some records include: 10 years - 17 x 10 feet; largest on record - 37 x 20 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. It can live over 85 years.
The leaves up to 3 inches in length are more narrow than that of most Abelia
The 5 sepalled, tubular, fragrant, pale pink flowers up to 0.7 inches are borne in clusters of 3s in early summer.
The young shoots are bristly.
Hardy zones 5 to 9
Abelia uniflora
A rather open evergreen shrub reaching a maximum size of 6.5 x 6 feet that is native to central and western China.
The leaves resemble Abelia x grandiflora but are slightly larger, up to 2.5 x 1 inches.
The flowers are purple-pink above and whitish beneath and are borne either solitarily or in clusters of 2 or 3 in summer & autumn.
Hardy zone 7 to 10 though should be tested in zone 6
ADDITIONAL CULTIVARS
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/PP25305.html ( Eternal Sunshine Abelia )
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/PP27328.html ( Pink Pong Abelia )
http://www.canr.org/Robacker%20Abelia%20Rpt%20F-05.pdf
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2008/0134384.html ( Lavender Mist Abelia ) 4 x 8'
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/PP28472.html ( Magic Daydream Abelia )
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/PP31041.html ( Twist of Mango Abelia )
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/PP30430.html ( Funshine Abelia )
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/PP32818.html
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/PP24838.html ( Lucky Lots Abelia )
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