Abelias are named for Dr. Clarke Abel (1780-1826) who was Chief Medical Officer and Naturalist to Lord Amherst's Embassy to China (1816-1817). Native to Asia (Japan, China and west to the Himalayas) and Mexico, they are used for landscaping, and are great visual barriers, shrub borders and space dividers; some species even work well as ground covers. Genera Abelia consists of three subspecies: 1) chinensis (deciduous, native to China), 2) floribunda (native to Mexico), and 3) grandiflora (Chinese hybrid).
The 'Edward Goucher' Abelia is less hardy, lacier, and more compact than the A. x grandiflora. They grow small lilac pink flowers with orange throats.
| Plant Types: | Perennial, Shrub |
| Light: | Partial Shade to Full Sun |
| Height: | 5 feet to 6 feet |
| Width: | 6 feet to 7 feet |
| Zones: | 7a to 9b |
| Bloom Color: | Lavender |
| Bloom Seasons: | Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall |
| Leaf Color: | Green, Purple |
| Special Features: | Deer resistant, Not North American native |
| Shape: | Rounded |
| Fertilizer: | Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food |
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Grows best in full sun as it enhances flower production, yet can tolerate limited shade. Plant it 2-3' apart to form a natural or pruned hedge. Ideal climate zone varies by species.
Abelias can be evergreen or deciduous and they do best in full sun. Different species yield different sizes. Both height and width vary, but width tends to be larger than height. The smallest varieties ('panache', or 'Silver Anniversary', and 'prostrata', both of the 'grandiflora' subspecies) grow to an average height of between 1.5' and 2', whereas the largest ('floribunda' species) can stand between 10' and 12' tall.
This plant is beautiful throughout the year, as flowering occurs prolifically in summer and early fall, with sporadic blooming throughout the rest of the year. Individually, the flowers are small but so abundant that they are still showy. Blossoms are tubular or bell shaped, and are generally pink or white, though some varieties can be lavender (A. sherwoodii) or reddish purple (Mexican Abelia). Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering.
Abelias do well with regular water. It prefers moist, slightly alkaline, organically rich soils which drain well, though it can handle average soil. Abelia can tolerate moderate drought once established, it doesn't do well with a high salt concentration in the soil.
Pruning and proper light (full sun or part shade) is essential for better growth. Pruning should be done immediately after flowering by thinning out the old wood. Prune branches selectively, but do not shear. Cutting stems to the ground in winter or early spring will yield a more open, arching plant. Remove any dead or damaged wood in April. Deadhead regularly prolongs flowering. In fall after flowering lightly trim back the flowered shoots to retain a neat and tidy shape.
No serious disease or insect problems.