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Abelia parviflora Bumblebee

Abelia parviflora Bumble Bee
Chinese Abelia

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Graden Merit
A very floriferous abelia, covered in delightful rose lilac, slightly scented, pendulous bells for 3 months in summer. They bloom on a shrub with a bushy and spreading habit dressed in elegant green foliage that will persist in winter. This hardy variety prefers a warm position, sheltered from cold winds. Plant it in the sun or in partial shade, in a well-drained but slightly moist soil.
Flower size
2 cm
Height at maturity
1.20 m
Spread at maturity
1.20 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -12°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to May
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Flowering time July to September
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Description

Abelia parviflora Bumble Bee is a beautiful improvement of the species native to China, characterized by its very long flowering period and the brilliance of its flowers. This lovely variety is covered with bell-shaped, slightly scented flowers in a beautiful lilac-pink colour throughout the summer. Its reddish calyxs remain decorative for a long time on an elegant semi-evergreen foliage. This easy-to-grow abelia is a reliable choice in regions spared from very harsh winters. It deserves a place in the garden, in a flowering hedge. The Royal Horticultural Society has recognized it for its ornamental qualities and performance in the garden.

 

The Abelia parviflora (synonyms schumannii or longituba) 'Bumble Bee' is a beautiful European horticultural creation with somewhat obscure origins. Like all Abelia, as well as honeysuckles and Kolkwitzia amabilis, it belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. The habit of this shrub is both bushy and slightly spreading, carried by flexible reddish-coloured branches. Its growth is quite rapid, depending on the growing conditions. At maturity, after 5 to 10 years, this abelia will reach an average size of 1.50m (4.92 ft) in all directions, with its branches tending to spread over time. Flowering occurs from July to September, earlier or later depending on the climate, on one-year-old and older branches. The buds, a slightly pinkish red, open into small campanulate flowers, 1.5cm (0.6in) wide, grouped in panicles at the axils of the leaves. The inside of the corolla is a bright mauve pink, the throat is spotted with yellow-orange on a white background, while the reverse is tinged with pale lilac pink. The reddish calyxes of the flowers persist on the branches until late in the season, long after the flowers have faded. This flowering releases a subtle and pleasant fragrance, which attracts numerous pollinating insects. The branches of the Bumble Bee abelia bear small pointed, bright green, shiny leaves opposite in pairs. They take on pretty red-orange hues in autumn and persist until early winter, as long as the frosts are not too severe. Note that this Chinese abelia prefers slightly moist, humus-rich soils. It can withstand cold temperatures, down to -12 or -15°C (10.4 or 5°F) once it is mature.

 

The 'Bumble Bee' abelia is very floriferous and decorative for a good part of the year. Its hardiness is quite good in well-drained soil, its growth is moderate, and it possesses a unique personality that will leave its mark on the garden. It can be integrated into a medium-sized flowering hedge, alongside buddleias, Kolkwitzia, mock oranges, Syringa microphylla 'Superba', and other ceanothuses, or in the middle of autumn flower beds, combined with asters, Japanese anemones, tricyrtis, etc. It will work wonders in an ericaceous bed with rhododendrons, autumn camellias, and other Pieris. 'Bumble Bee' also grows very well in a container, which can be placed on the terrace. This method of cultivation allows it to be sheltered in very cold regions during winter.

Abelia parviflora Bumblebee in pictures

Abelia parviflora Bumblebee (Flowering) Flowering
Abelia parviflora Bumblebee (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.20 m
Spread at maturity 1.20 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time July to September
Inflorescence Panicle
Flower size 2 cm
Fragrance slightly scented
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Flowering description Small flowers with 5 lobes, nectar-rich.

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Abelia

Species

parviflora

Cultivar

Bumble Bee

Family

Caprifoliaceae

Other common names

Chinese Abelia

Botanical synonyms

Abelia schumanii, Abelia longituba

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference859811

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Planting and care

Abelia Bumble Bee has fairly good resistance to cold, down to -12/-15°C (10.4 - 5°F), and grows in any good garden soil that is sufficiently deep, well-drained, preferably not too dry, and close to neutral (without excess acidity or limestone). Give it a sunny or semi-shade exposure, sheltered from cold and dry winds. To support flowering, water abundantly every 15 days if needed. Once mature prune sparingly, just after flowering, as the flowers bloom on old wood. Regularly pinch the tips of young shoots during the growth period. 

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to May

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Free-standing, Container, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -12°C (USDA zone 8a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral, Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, well-drained, deep, well-loosened.

Care

Pruning instructions Once mature, it requires careful pruning, just after flowering, as the flowers bloom on old wood. You can prune a few of the older branches in spring to encourage the growth of new shoots.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time October
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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