Abelia Grandiflora – With Fragrant Flower Clusters That Last for Months
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Dipsacales |
| Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
| Genus: | Abelia |
| Species: | A. × grandiflora |
| Binomial name: | Abelia × grandiflora |
Quick Facts
| Common name | Glossy abelia |
| Scientific name | Abelia × grandiflora |
| Type | Hybrid shrub with glossy leaves |
| Colours | Whitish-pink flowers; leaves turn bronze-yellow in fall |
| Flowering season | Late spring to summer |
| Height | 2 to 4 feet (up to 6 feet in the south) |
| Special feature | Fragrant flowers that attract butterflies |
Abelia grandiflora otherwise called glossy Abelia, is from the honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae) family. Garden lovers enjoy this hybrid shrub with their elegant outward appearance, glossy green leaves and fragrance of the flower clusters that last for months. The Abelia flowers bloom from May to September and have long tube-shaped flowers covering the plant. The leaves have saw-shaped edges. They grow along the coastal regions of California or in calm locations.
Anatomy
Abelia grandiflora is a multiple round patterned flower and its stems spread out. In the cold regions they grow to a height of 2 to 4 feet and in the southern regions up to 6 feet. In severe cold, some plants die on the ground, but they recover and bloom, but do not grow to more than 18” height. From May down in September you see these Glossy Abelia’s flowers, whitish-pink in color, in the form of clusters, opening right up through their stems. These flowers that attract butterflies by their lovely scented aromas show off amidst the shrub’s oval, dark green glossy leaves. In the fall, the leaves get toned to bronze-yellow.
How to cultivate domestically
Planting
Photo by: Kurt Stüber
Weeks after you plant the Abelia roots indoors, you will see new growth. If you tug on the cutting and experience struggle, it is a sign of root growth. Open the lid of the plastic bag and gradually let your fresh glossy Abelia plants get familiar with the new surroundings. Gradually cut humidity, increase direct light and even reduce temperature. This process is called “hardening off” and prevents the plants from sudden shock when suddenly exposed to the outdoors.
Make a hole double the size of the root ball and enough depth to plant your Abelia as it was in the container. In case the soil in the hole is of poor quality, then make the hole wider and pack with a mixture of half compost and half the original soil alternately.
Remove the shrubs with care from the container and gently segregate the roots. Place it centralized in the hole keeping the good side facing out. Pack in the amended mixture or original soil as and when needed as instructed above. Where the shrubs are larger, build a well of water. Complete the process with proper watering and mulching.
In balled and bur-lapped plants, take away the fastenings and fold up the upper part of the ordinary burlap, pressing it back in the hole, after placing the shrub in the correct position. Ensure that all the burlap is hidden so that in dry and hot seasons it will not draw out water from the roots. If the burlap is synthetic, take it away if possible, cut it away or slit it permitting roots to grow into the new soil.
Placement and Watering
To cut the stress in the plants and conserve the water, practice watering in the earlier part of the day or later part of noon. Always water your Abelia Grandiflora sufficiently in order that water does not dry up in the leaves before nightfall.
Flowering Season: Autumn, Summer
White funnel-shaped flowers, of length about 1” start appearing in late spring. Aging changes the color to a tint of purple-pink. You can easily recognize these flowers by their characteristic 5 sepals. They are fragrant and showy.
After-Bloom Care
Photo by: Sten Porse
The safest time for Abelia grandiflora pruning is soon after flowering. Following this schedule prevents you from cutting away freshly formed buds. In the beginning, start to cut leaders and laterals from 1/3 to ½ while planting. In the following season, when flowering is over, cut back further by almost 1/3.
As Cut Flowers
These flowers are especially eye-catching with a specific fragrance and form excellent cut Flowers.
Glossy abelia FAQs
What does glossy abelia look like?
It is a rounded shrub with oval, glossy dark green leaves that have saw-shaped edges. The leaves turn bronze-yellow in the fall.
When does glossy abelia flower?
It starts flowering in late spring and carries on through the summer. The flowers are white funnels that fade to purple-pink.
How tall does glossy abelia grow?
In cold areas it grows 2 to 4 feet tall, and in the south it can reach 6 feet.
Does abelia attract butterflies?
Yes. The sweet-smelling flower clusters attract butterflies.
When should you prune abelia?
Prune soon after it flowers so you do not cut off new buds.
Randi Jones is the owner and founder of the Nature Gift Store, an online retailer specializing in nature-themed gifts, educational science projects, live animal nature kits and real butterfly artwork. A biology graduate who fell in love with insects, she founded the company in 2001 to make active learning about nature fun, accessible and engaging for children and adults. Her store offers real butterfly frames, home and garden decor and educational live animal kits, including ant farms, worm farms, tadpoles, ladybugs and hermit crabs, and she runs a bug museum in Washington featuring live animals like Eddie the Iguana alongside other reptiles and insects.
