Abelia chinensis White Surprise

The Abelia chinensis White Surprise is a selection of Chinese abelia, interesting for its early, massive and extended flowering, as well as its moderate development and suitable for small spaces. In the garden or in a large pot, this bush charms with the fragrance of its countless small white flowers, capable of perfuming the surroundings for metres in hot weather. Its green, deciduous or semi-evergreen foliage can be evergreen in mild climates and takes on beautiful tones in autumn. Modest in appearance, accommodating in nature and drought-resistant, it is endowed with great robustness and undeniable charm. If winters are not too harsh in your region, give it a small place in the garden or on the terrace!

The Abelia White Surprise is a recent horticultural creation. It comes from the Abelia chinensis, a botanical shrub species belonging to the caprifoliaceae family. This plant is native to temperate regions of China, where it often grows in deciduous woods. The White Surprise cultivar has a bushy, flexible and very dense habit. Its growth is moderately fast, depending on the growing conditions. At maturity, this abelia reaches about 1.20m (3 in 11 ft) in all directions. Flowering takes place from July to October. The small tubular flowers are 2cm (0.8in) long and appear at the ends of young branches, gathered in very dense panicles. Each white flower is enclosed in a soft, old pink calyx that persists well after the flower has fallen. This flowering releases a powerful scent, a subtle blend of lilac, jasmine and hyacinth, which attracts many pollinating insects. The flexible branches of the Chinese abelia White Surprise bear small, shiny green leaves, opposite in pairs, entire, ovate and with irregularly serrated edges. They take on lovely bronze tones in autumn and will persist throughout the winter if the frosts are not too severe or prolonged.

The Chinese abelia White Surprise is a very floriferous and remarkably fragrant bush that deserves a place in all gardens with relatively mild winters. Its hardiness does not exceed -10/-12°C (14 - 10.4°F) in well-drained soil, it tolerates all soils, even chalky and poor ones, and withstands summer drought well. Its stocky and dense, yet flexible, habit allows it to be planted in a large flower bed alongside dwarf buddleias, landscape roses, mock oranges, Chinese lilacs, and other spireas. It is also beautiful in the middle of autumn flower beds, combined with asters, caryopteris and shrub salvias... It also grows very well in a large pot, which can be placed on the terrace to perfume summer evenings.