Woody
Abelia x grandiflora – Glossy Abelia
Family: Caprifoliaceae
LEAVES: Opposite, simple, ovate, 3/5 to 1 2/5″ long, half as wide, acute, rounded or cuneate at base, dentate, lustrous dark green above, paler beneath and glabrous, except bearded near base of midrib.
BUDS: Small, ovoid, with about 2 pairs of rather loose scales.
STEM: Young-pubescent, reddish brown, fine textured appearance; older stem-exfoliating and split to expose light inner bark, leaf scars connected by a stipular line.
SIZE: 3 to 6′ by 3 to 6′; usually at the low end of the range in northern areas.
HARDINESS: Zone 5 but best in Zone 6 and further south; -5 to -100F appears to coincide with Stem kill.
HABIT: Often a spreading, dense, rounded, multistemmed shrub with arching branches; in the north is often killed back to ground or snow line and quickly grows back into a rather dense small shrub; at times somewhat loose in outline.
TEXTURE: Medium-fine in all seasons.
LEAF COLOR: Lustrous dark green in summer, purplish-bronze in late fall; shows semi-evergreen tendency and leaves hold late into fall or early winter; in the south leaves often persist through winter.
FLOWERS: White-flushed pink, funnel-shaped, 3/4″ long and wide, throat 5-lobed, slightly fragrant, 2 to 5 together, 3/4,’ long sepals develop a purplish tinge and persist for months; June and July through frost; flowers on new growth of season; usually profuse, prolific flowering plant.
FRUIT: One-seeded, leathery achene with no ornamental value.
CULTURE: Easily grown, transplant balled and burlapped or from containers; perfers well-drained, moist, acid soil; full sun up to 1/2 shade; often damaged in severe winters and proper siting is necessary; will require pruning of dead wood in north.
DISEASES AND INSECTS: None serious but leaf spots, mildew and root rots have been reported.
LANDSCAPE VALUE: Excellent for textural effects, handsome in flower, often used as a bank cover, mass or facing plant; used as a hedge in southern areas; combines well with broadleaf evergreens; safest when used in Zone 6 and south.
CULTIVARS:
‘Francis Mason’ – New green foliage changes to glossy yellow as it matures, color more pro nounced in full sun; light pink flowers; plants I have observed never appeared particularly vigorous; 3 to 4′.
‘Prostrata’ – Low-growing, more compact form. ‘Sherwood’ – More dense and compact in habit, leaves smaller and more refined than those of species, 3 to 3 1/2′ high and 4 to 4 1/2′ wide; ‘Nana’ may be synonymous; plants on the Georgia campus are quite lovely, do not become as ragged asA. x grand/flora. ‘Variegata’ – A variegated form has been reported but to my knowledge is not in cultivation in this country.
PROPAGATION: Softwood cuttings root readily; I have rooted this plant with 100% success any time foliage was present using 1000 ppm IBA; cuttings collected in November rooted well; seeds should be sown when ripe
RELATED SPECIES:
Abelia ‘Edward Goucher’ is a hybrid between A. x grandiflora x A. schumannii and tends to be intermediate in habit between the parents. The leaves tend toward A. x grandiflora while the darker-colored purple-pink flowers reflect the influence of A. schumannii; leaves are often borne in whorls; ultimate size may approach 5′; flowers from June until frost; resulted from a cross made at the Glenn Dale Plant Introduction Center by Edward Goucher in 1911; best reserved for Zone 6; showier in flower than A x grandiflora.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: The hardiest and most free-flowering of the abelias; best reserved for eastern and southern gardens. Result of a cross between A. chinensis x A. uniflora.