Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)

Glossy abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) is a medium-sized, round, dense, multistemmed shrub in the honeysuckle family. It has arching branches and small, glossy, dark green leaves with tinges of red. The flowers are clusters of small white-to-pink bell-shaped, fragrant blooms from late spring to fall. The shrub has a moderate growth rate and, depending on the cultivar, grows from 2- to 8-ft. tall and 3- to 6-ft. wide.

Glossy abelia can be grown in full sun or partial shade, but it will flower best in full sun. It prefers moist, well-drained soils of loam, clay, or sand. It is hardy, drought-tolerant, erosion-tolerant, deer-resistant, and easy to grow, but it is intolerant of salty soil. The flowers bloom on new wood so pruning, if needed, may be done in late winter and early spring. Once established, glossy abelia requires very little maintenance. It has no serious insect pests or diseases, although occasionally aphids can be problematic.

It stands out from other plants because the leaves retain the reddish foliage all summer long, whereas many plants with reddish leaves lose this coloration later in the summer. The shrub is frost tender and is best planted in a protected site to prevent freeze damage. It is semi-evergreen to evergreen in zones 9 to 11, but it is usually deciduous in zone 8. Considered to be evergreen in its southern range, glossy abelia will lose 50% of its leaves in colder climates, and the remaining leaves will take on a more pronounced red color.

Glossy abelia is versatile, easy to grow, and tough, and it has a very long blooming season. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to its flowers. Consider using this hybrid shrub as an accent, border, hedge, privacy screen, or mass planting. Planted in mass, glossy abelia will add color and a slight fragrance to the landscape.

'Sunshine Daydream', buds, early summer, Durham County, NC | Carol Tierney| CC BY 4.0

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Canyon Creek' -- coppery pink leaves that turn yellow then green, light pink flowers

'Confetti' -- cream variegated foliage that turns red in cool temperatures

'Edward Goucher' -- more compact 3- to 5-ft.-tall with lavender-pink flowers

'Francis Mason' -- new green foliage turns glossy yellow as it matures with pink flowers

'Hopleys' -- compact habit, variegated leaves

'Kaleidoscope' -- wide range of color found on the foliage

'Little Richard' – compact (up to 3 feet), small white flowers, foliage bright red, turns glossy green, and then tangerine pink

'Mardis Gras'

'Prostrata' -- Prostrate form, white flowers

'Radiance'

'Rose Creek' -- Purple-green leaves in winter

'Ruby Anniversary' -- Reddish foliage spring and fall, white flowers

'Sherwoodii' -- dwarf, up to 3 feet, smaller leaves and flowers

'Silver Anniversary'

'Sunrise' -- variegated green-yellow and cream leaves

'Sunshine Daydream'

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By Kathryn Copley, Extension Master Gardener SM Volunteer, Brunswick County, NC
For more information on gardening in Brunswick County, please call the Brunswick County Cooperative Extension Office, 910.253.2610.

👉 Click here for a printable pdf version.

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SOURCES:

Abelia x grandiflora (Glossy Abelia) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

FPS 001/FP001: Abelia x grandiflora: Glossy Abelia (ufl.edu)