Abelia grandiflora, commonly known as Glossy Abelia, is a hybrid ornamental shrub celebrated for its arching branches, semi-evergreen glossy foliage, and soft pinkish-white blooms that appear from summer into fall. It typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, forming a graceful, mounded habit that blends easily into foundation plantings, borders, or informal hedges. While not native to North America, this low-maintenance shrub offers long-season color and gentle support for butterflies and other pollinators.

Why choose Glossy Abelia:

• Extended bloom time: Produces tubular flowers from summer into fall

• Low maintenance: Adapts well to heat, pruning, and moderate drought

• Elegant appearance: Glossy foliage and arching stems add soft structure and movement

Cultivating tips:

• Sun exposure: Best in full sun to part shade for vigorous growth and flowering

• Soil needs: Prefers well-drained soil and tolerates a wide range of soil types

• Pruning care: Trim after flowering to maintain shape and promote dense branching

Designs for your garden:

• Foundation planting: Ideal for softening hard edges near homes and buildings

• Mixed borders: Pairs well with evergreens and flowering perennials

• Pollinator gardens: Tubular blooms attract butterflies and native bees

Ecological benefits:

• Pollinator-friendly: Attracts butterflies and bees with long-lasting flowers

• Erosion control: Dense root system can help stabilize sloped areas

• Urban hardy: Performs well in suburban gardens and warmer city climates

Looking for native alternatives?

Itea virginica – Virginia Sweetspire: Native shrub with arching branches and fragrant white flower spikes in early summer.
Callicarpa americana – American Beautyberry: Native to the Southeast, known for vivid purple berries that attract birds and pollinators.
Clethra alnifolia – Summersweet Clethra: Fragrant white flowers in midsummer on a compact, pollinator-friendly native shrub.