Abelia x grandiflora Semperflorens

Abelia x grandiflora 'Semperflorens' is an improvement of the species, more vigorous, more floriferous and more compact. It has a flexible, rounded and dense habit with beautifully arched branches, ideal for embellishing a container or a corner of a terrace. This variety produces numerous terminal clusters of scented and nectar-rich white-pink flowers throughout the summer season. Its small, glossy ovate leaves are also remarkable, emerging as a tender green washed with copper and turning dark green and then purple in autumn, and only falling off if the winter is harsh. It is a semi-hardy shrub (resistant down to -8°C (17.6°F)) that is easy to grow in all well-drained and fertile soils, in full sun and partial shade, that tolerates drought once established. Outside of regions with mild winters, provide it with a sheltered location away from cold winds against a well-exposed south-facing wall and protect it with winter covering.

Abelia x grandiflora is a shrub of the caprifoliaceae family. This hybrid is the result of cross-breeding between the Abelia chinensis, native to temperate China, and the Abelia uniflora, originating from eastern China. The species prefers bright and warm exposures and fertile but well-drained soils. 'Semperflorens' has been distributed by Minier nurseries since 1993. This shrub has a dense, compact, rounded habit. It will not exceed 2.50 m (8ft 2in) in all directions at maturity. Its growth rate is moderate. The long, slightly scented flowering lasts throughout the summer, from July to October, when few shrubs are in bloom. Its countless small, white-pink and funnel-shaped corollas, are gathered in terminal panicles. As they wither, they give way to attractive calyxes composed of rusty-coloured bracts, which are highly decorative against the autumn foliage. The arching branches of this Abelia bear glossy, oval leaves that are tender green tinged with copper in spring, turning dark green and then purple in summer, they are semi-evergreen and persist for a long time on the branch.

The 'Semperflorens' Abelia, with its compact habit and exceptional floribundance, enriches the range of plants suitable for growing in large pots as well as in small gardens. It pairs well with other low-growing shrubs such as Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety', Berberis thumbergii 'Atropurpurea Nana', Ceanothus repens, or Genista lydia. This variety, once well-established, is drought-tolerant and hardy to about -12°C (10.4°F) in well-drained soil. It is best grown in pots in colder regions and stored for the winter. It is a very interesting shrub for creating informal hedges in drier and warmer gardens, where its arching branches, laden with a profusion of scented flowers, will express themselves freely! Consider combining it with coarser evergreen foliage such as Distyliums, lauriers and finer, glaucous foliage of spireas.