Abelia X grandiflora, Glossy Abelia is one of my favorite plants and has been selected as September's plant of the month. This shrub is located near the composting signs when entering the Wilson Display Garden.

There are two forms of this plant one reaches 6 feet in height and the dwarf varieties which stay around 3 feet in height. The plants reach the same width as height.

What is the most popular aspect of this shrub is that it flowers from spring until November or December in Wilson. The flowers are white flushed with pink. Flowers seem to usually be profuse and prolific. The flowers also attract a multitude of butterflies. I have Abelia 'Sherwood' planted at the end of my driveway. Each sunny day when I come home in the evening hundreds of yellow butterflies dance around the Abelia, what a way to be welcomed!

The leaves are a lustrous dark green in the summer and bronze-red or purple in late fall and winter. This plant can be semi-evergreen in harsh winters but for the most part it is an evergreen in Wilson. It is one of the first plants to come out of winter dormancy with a flush of new leaves in March.

Abelia is easily grown and prefers an acid, well-drained, moist soil. Does best in full sun but will tolerate up to half shade. Abelia planted under red maples made a respectable show although less dense and with decreased flowering compared to full sun as reported by Dr. Michael Dirr, University of Georgia.

Abelia is relatively pest free but can occasionally have leaf spot, mildew, and root rot. Aphids may be a problem on soft succulent growth. We have not had any of these pest problems in the Wilson Display garden.

Abelia is excellent for textural effects and often used as a bank cover or mass planted. The tall variety is often used as a hedge.

Many different cultivars makes this plant adaptable to any landscape. 'Confetti' has cream-margined leaves that turn rose in the winter. Flowers are pure white. Not as vigorous as other cultivars. 'Sherwood' has a very dense and compact habit. Leaves are smaller and more refined than the tall variety. 'Edward Goucher' tends to be intermediate in height (up to 5 feet) with darker-colored lavender-pink flowers.

Propagation by softwood cuttings is relatively easy.

Abelia is trouble-free and easy to maintain. Pruning is required to remove water sprouts to keep plant well shaped. Hard pruning may be necessary to rejuvenate old plants in the winter.

There also is a Chinese Abelia, Abelia chinensis which has attracted my attention recently. It grows 5 to 7 feet in height, upright spreading, oval-rounded deciduous shrub. The flowers are white, fragrant, two or more per cluster, and bloom from June until September. This Abelia also attracts butterflies. I think this plant is under used in the landscape and is worthy to be in more home yards.

The Wilson Display Garden is located at the Agricultural Center, 1806 South Goldsboro Street and is open from sunrise to sunset.

Home gardening questions can be answered by Master Gardener Volunteers on Mondays and Fridays from 1-3 PM at 237- 0113. Master Gardener Volunteer training starts September 14. We have a few more openings in the class. Please call for an application 237-0113 and send back quickly to get enrolled.

Date Created: 12/12/00.

Updated: 8/25/03