There are some plants that make the grade on the appearance scale both from the point of their leaves as well as their flowers. The Abelia is one such shrub. This evergreen has good and finely drawn leaves that are not big and like the Magnolia or the Camellia, looks dark green and glossy. These get a burgundy shade late summer and when the cold weather approaches, the foliage puts on a red-coppery hue. The flowers are a delicate; white tinged with pink and come out in summer.

The shrub grows to about 6 ft but some cultivars vary in height. Giving the impression of a tree with body and presence, the Abelia is perennial and can be planted in groups. Put down the ones in the centre first then a few more, around these, about three to four days later. The last lot can be put in a week to ten days after the first shrub was planted. This will give the group a look of varying heights with the centre growing up a bit quicker than the others around.

Planting Abelia on an incline will help draining off excess water for these roots need only to be kept wet, not soggy. An acidic soil, with medium hot sunshine, works well for this shrub which gets it to flower and grow full and lush. A fairly hardy plant, thinning should be done by pruning to encourage a fuller growth.

Cultivars to choose from would be a hybrid variety called 'Edward Goucher' which results in pinkish lilac flowers and thick foliage. This grows to a height of about
5 ½ ft. Then there is the better known 'Sherwood' with pink flowers which is shorter, growing up to about 3 ½ ft and tending towards spreading out in circumference. Like its name, the 'Sunrise' variety displays leaves with shades of blonde, orange and gold in winter, whereas the other cultivars turn their leaves more reddish purple in color. The Abelia contrasts well with the needle pines and firs and if planted close by, get the eye to travel from one dense and flowering shrub, to a spiky conifer close by.

If you like artciles about trees & shrubs....These pages might also interest you:

Guide to Conifers & Evergreens, How to Prune Shrubs, Gardening With Viburnum, Gingko Trees, Growing Magnolias, Japanese Barbury, Katsura Trees,Shrubs as Garden Borders,The Weeping Atlas Tree, Tough Trees, Great Birch Trees, Growing Citrus Trees, How to Prune Shrubs,How to Start Seedlings, Lustrous Abelia, Popular Shrubs, Shrub Winter Care Guide, Shrubs With Berries, Summer Hydrangeas