Abelia X grandiflora

1 Nov

Abelia x grandiflora flowers (31/10/2010, Brighton)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer to early autumn

Soil: Moist, well-drained

Eventual Height: 3m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Abelia X grandiflora is a fast growing, evergreen or semi-evergreen, multi-stemmed, spreading shrub. Its dark green leaves are ovate, glossy and are up to 6cm long. These are arranged along graceful arching branches. From June, it produces masses of small, fragrant, pink-flushed, trumpet-like flowers on arching branches that continue all summer and into autumn.

Abelia X grandiflora is commonly known as Glossy Abelia. It is a product of hybridizing Abelia chinensis with Abelia uniflora in 1886 at the Rovelli nursery in Italy.

The etymological root of the binomial name Abelia is after Dr Clarke Able (1780-1826) a physician and writer on China. Grandiflora is derived form the Latin grandis ‘large’ and flora ‘flower’.

Abelia x grandiflora (31/10/2010, Brighton)

The landscape architect may find Abelia X grandiflora useful as an evergreen medium sized summer and autumn flowering shrub. It may also be used as a formal or informal hedge. As it’s slightly tender in the UK, it’s best grown in the shelter of a wall.

Ecologically, Abelia X grandiflora flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Abelia X grandiflora their it prestigious award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Abelia X grandiflora prefers most fertile well drained soils. It will tolerate most pH of soils.

Abelia X grandiflora requires little maintenance. Deadheading regularly will prolong its flowering period. If required prune in autumn after flowering. Remove any dead or damaged wood in April.