Woody > Abelia > Abelia x grandiflora > Abelia x grandiflora
Abelia x grandiflora
Glossy Abelia
Origin: Abelia x grandiflora is a cross between A. chinensis and A. uniflora. While in cultivation together sometime before 1866 in an Italian nursery they hybridized to produce the species. The genus Abelia is named after Dr. Clarke Abel (1789-1862) a surgeon and naturalist who during 1816-7 accompanied a failed diplomatic mission to China but while there collected a small flowering shrub which was later named Abelia chinensis. On a return voyage back to England, Abel lost of all of his specimens both due to pirates and a later shipwreck. It was not until 1844 that the plant would be introduced into cultivation through the efforts of Robert Fortune. Fortune working for the Horticultural Society of London, which was later to become the Royal Horticultural Society collected both A. chinensis and A. uniflora on the same expedition.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Well worth the effort for its glossy leaves, delicate but well-behaved form and attractive bloom.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Caprifoliaceae |
| Genus |
| Abelia |
| Species |
| x grandiflora |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (deciduous), Shrub (evergreen) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 5a |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H5 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -15 to -10 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 5 to 14 |
| Height |
| 2.5 m |
Photographs
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Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| Landscape |
| A specimen, border or informal hedge plant. |
| Cultivation |
| Soil should be well drained and although not choosy about soil pH, plant flourish on alkaline soils. Plant in full sun but protected from strong winds. Prune annually to remove old branches and retain the arching form of the plant. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| Pests |
| Usually pest free. |
| Leaf Description |
| Glossy dark green evergreen foliage (deciduous at the northerly limits of its hardiness range). |
| Flower Description |
| Pale pink to white flowers to about 1.5 cm, surrounded by dusky red sepals. |
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