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Key characteristics

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Height: 3 to 6 feet
Width: 3 to 6 feet
Flower color: Small, tubular white to pale pink flowers
Foliage color: Glossy green leaves that may turn bronze or purple in fall
Bloom time: Late spring to fall
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; prune lightly to shape after flowering or in late winter
Growing zone: USDA Zones 6 to 9
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

Shrubs

Abelia x grandiflora

Glossy Abelia

Abelia x grandiflora, commonly known as glossy abelia, is a semi-evergreen shrub admired for its long-lasting blooms and glossy, oval-shaped leaves. From late spring through fall, it produces clusters of delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of white to pale pink, surrounded by a long-lasting red calyx. As the seasons change, the foliage may take on bronze or reddish hues, adding a layer of seasonal interest.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late spring to fall

Find this plant

Works well in

Foundation Plantings
Hedging & Privacy
Four-Season Gardens
Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

Russian sage · Blue fescues · Coreopsis · Yarrow · Daylilies · Creeping phlox

Design tip

Anchor planting beds with repeating groups of this shrub to create rhythm while defining the garden's structure throughout the seasons. Blend it with contrasting foliage textures and layered perennials to soften transitions and maintain visual interest from spring into fall.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)