Great Design Plant: Glossy Abelia for Year-Round Beauty

This underused shrub deserves a place in every garden. Its glossy foliage reflects light so that on a sunny day the shrub seems to be sprinkled with fairy dust. But the leaves are only part of its appeal. Fragrant flowers cover these arching canes for at least six months of the year, providing a feast for bees and hummingbirds, yet mercifully my deer completely ignore it.

Even as temperatures cool, glossy abelia is a five-star performer, as both flowers and leaves take on burgundy tints, adding color to the fall and winter landscape.

Botanical name: Abelia x grandiflora
Common name: Glossy abelia
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 7 to 9; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun for best flowering or light shade
Mature size: 6 feet tall and wide, but can easily be pruned smaller
Benefits and tolerances: Deer resistant; drought tolerant; hummingbirds and bees love it
Seasonal interest: Year-round
When to plant: Spring or fall


Distinguishing traits:
Glossy, semievergreen foliage on long, arching, burgundy stemsTubular white flowers that bloom profusely from spring until late fall and have a delicate perfumeWonderful in floral arrangementsIn winter the whole shrub takes on a rosy blush, as seen in the next photograph.





How to use it:
As an informal hedgeFor filtered screeningAs a specimen shrubAdjacent to a window or sitting area so you can enjoy the hummingbirds and light fragranceAs part of an easy-care mixed borderCombination ideas. Notice in the photo here how the delicate pink sepals open to reveal the white flowers. As the blooms fade and fall, the center of the remaining sepal is a creamy tan color. Use these three shades as inspiration for plant combinations.
Underplant the abelia with one of the paler coral bells (Heuchera spp), such as Heuchera 'Creme Brulee' (shown here), zones 4 to 9.Echo the pink tones by pairing it with a burgundy shrub, such as golden ruby barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Goruzam', zones 4 to 8) or midnight wine weigela (Weigela 'Midnight Wine', zones 4 to 8).Add Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima) for contrasting texture while repeating the soft white color of the flowers, or perhaps use a silver-foliage plant, like silver mound wormwood (Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound', zones 4 to 8).Note: Barberries and Mexican feather grass may be invasive in some areas. Check with your local cooperative extension or county extension office before planting them.


Planting notes. Plant abelia in average, well-drained soil. Water well until established, but it will quickly become drought tolerant.

You can prune the shrub to size as needed, or you can remove a few of the older canes each spring to help maintain an airy shape.

More: What to Do in Your Garden Now

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