Abelia spathulata (Twin-Flowering Abelia )
Botanical Information
| Family | Caprifoliaceae |
| Genus | Abelia |
| Species | spathulata |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Shrub (deciduous) |
| Origin | Native to Japan. The genus Abelia is named after Dr. Clarke Abel (1789 - 1862) a surgeon and naturalist who during 1816 - 7 accompanied a failed diplomatic mission to China but while there collected a small flowering shrub which was later named Abelia chinensis. On a return voyage back to England, Abel lost all of his specimens both due to pirates and a later shipwreck. It was not until 1844 that the plant would be introduced into cultivation through the efforts of Robert Fortune. Fortune working for the Horticultural Society of London, which was later to become the Royal Horticultural Society collected both A. chinensis and A. uniflora on the same expedition. |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 6 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 7 |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H5 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -15 to -12 |
| Temperature (°F) | 5 - 10 |
| Height | 1.8 - 2.4 m |
| Growth | Fast |
| Flowering Period | June |
Description and Growing Information
| Cultivation | Soil should be well drained and although not choosy about soil pH, plant flourish on alkaline soils. Plant in full sun but protected from strong winds. Prune annually to remove old branches and retain the arching form of the plant. |
Photographs
