Shrub of the Month-September 2009
Tagged as:
Chinese Abelia
(Abelia chinensis)
From mid-summer through October, this graceful shrub produces terminal clusters of white, bell-shaped, fragrant flowers that butterflies adore.You can find September's Shrub of the Month in the Honeysuckle Collection along Main Trail Loop 1.
Chinese abelia has been regaining popularity recently among gardeners looking for sweetly scented blooms that will attract butterflies. Unlike glossy abelia (its more popular progeny), Chinese abelia only flowers from midsummer to fall. But when it does flower, it bears clusters with a higher bloom count. Consider planting it as a hedge or near a patio or fence where you can enjoy the fragrance and the butterflies it attracts.
Sometime around 1900, an inspired gardener or nurseryman (whose name is lost to history) crossed this plant with another Chinese species, Abelia uniflora. The resulting semi-evergreen hybrid, dubbed glossy abelia (Abelia x grandiflora), quickly rose in popularity, and Abelia chinensis fell from the trade. Recently, however, the original species has been rediscovered, especially by butterfly gardeners in search of late-summer bloomers that lure the colorful creatures.
Mature size: 5 to 7 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide
Rate of growth: Moderate to fast
Visit this shrub in all seasons to see its changing features!
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Chinese Abelia flower |
Chinese Abelia leaf |