Abelia mosanensis Monia

Abelia mosaniensis 'Monia' is a beautiful improvement of the species native to Korea, with early flowering and remarkable fragrance. Little known and cultivated, this deciduous bush is also one of the most cold-resistant in the Abelia genus. From the end of May, it offers a multitude of pink buds that open into white tubular flowers, whose fragrance evokes that of lilac and hyacinth. They bloom against dark and glossy foliage that turns beautiful red-orange colours in autumn. This abelia deserves a place in the garden, in a flowered hedge or in a grove.

The Abelia mosaniensis 'Monia', sometimes marketed under the name Abelia 'Bridal Bouqet', is a beautiful American horticultural creation dating back to 2000. Like all Abelia, it belongs to the caprifoliaceae family. The habit of this shrub is bushy and spreading, flexible and dense. Its growth is quite fast, depending on the growing conditions. At maturity, this abelia will reach an average height of 2m (6.5ft) with a spread of 1.50m (5ft). It forms its flower buds in autumn and blooms in spring. Flowering takes place between April and June depending on the climate, on branches that are one-year-old and older. The buds are almost red in colour and open into small tubular, pure white flowers, 2cm (0.8in) long, grouped in panicles at the axil of the leaves. The inside of the corolla is pure white, while the reverse is tinged with pink. The flowers release a powerful fragrance, a subtle blend of lilac, jasmine, and hyacinth, which attracts many pollinating insects. The branches of the scented abelia bear small dark green and glossy leaves. They turn beautiful red-orange hues in autumn and persist until early winter, as long as the frosts are not too severe. It should be noted that this Korean abelia prefers soils that remain moist, humus-rich, slightly acidic to neutral.

The 'Monia' abelia is a floriferous and remarkably fragrant bush that deserves to be discovered. It is very hardy in well-drained soil, its growth is moderate, and it possesses a unique personality that will leave its mark in the garden. Its regular yet flexible habit allows it to be planted in a flowered hedge alongside buddleias, kolwitzia, lilacs, Syringa microphylla 'Superba', and other ceanothus, or in the middle of autumn flower beds, combined with asters, Japanese anemones, tricyrtis... It works wonders in an ericaceous bed alongside rhododendrons and Pieris. 'Monia' also thrives in a large pot, which can be placed on the terrace to perfume spring evenings.