Abelia
Abelia x grandiflora
Abelia is a tough, semi-evergreen shrub with arching branches, glossy leaves, and a long summer-to-fall show of small, fragrant, bell-shaped flowers. It is a magnet for bees and butterflies.
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Weekly; drought-tolerant once established
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Glossy abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) is a popular hybrid shrub in the honeysuckle family, beloved for its exceptionally long bloom season and easygoing nature. Graceful, arching stems carry small glossy leaves and clusters of dainty tubular flowers.
The blooms appear from early summer well into autumn, and even after petals fall the persistent rosy-pink sepals (calyces) keep the plant colorful. Many modern cultivars also feature variegated or coppery new growth.
Abelia is widely used as a low-care landscape shrub that thrives on neglect once established.
How to identify it
A rounded, fountain-shaped shrub with wiry, arching branches.
- Flowers: small (½ in), white to pale pink, bell- or funnel-shaped, lightly fragrant, in loose clusters
- Sepals: persistent rosy-pink calyces remain after petals drop, extending color
- Leaves: small, ovate, glossy dark green, often bronze-tinted in cool weather; semi-evergreen
- Stems: reddish, slender, gracefully arching
- Size: typically 3–6 ft tall and wide, varying by cultivar
Care & growing
One of the most forgiving flowering shrubs.
- Light: flowers best in full sun; tolerates part shade
- Water: moderate while establishing; drought-tolerant afterward
- Soil: adaptable but prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil
- Temperature: hardy in USDA zones 6–9; semi-evergreen, may drop leaves in cold winters
- Feeding: a light spring feeding with balanced fertilizer is plenty
- Pruning: blooms on new wood—prune in late winter or early spring; remove a few old canes to renew
- Propagation: softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings root easily
Habitat & origin
Abelia x grandiflora is a garden-origin hybrid between Abelia chinensis and Abelia uniflora, both native to China. The parent species grow on rocky slopes and woodland edges in eastern Asia.
The hybrid is now planted worldwide in temperate gardens as a hedge, border, or foundation shrub, valued for its adaptability to a range of soils and climates.
Frequently asked questions
Is abelia evergreen?
It is semi-evergreen. In mild climates it keeps its glossy leaves year-round; in colder zones it may drop them in winter.
Why isn't my abelia blooming?
Too much shade is the usual cause. It also blooms on new growth, so pruning in late winter—rather than summer—preserves the flower buds.
Does abelia attract pollinators?
Yes, the long-lasting flowers are a favorite of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout summer and fall.
How do I keep abelia compact?
Prune in late winter and remove a few of the oldest canes at the base each year to renew the plant and control size without shearing.
Abelia guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Abelia.
Abelia identified by the community
Real specimens identified with Plant Identifier.
