Abelia triflora (Indian Abelia)


Botanical Information

FamilyCaprifoliaceae
GenusAbelia
Speciestriflora
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (deciduous)
OriginNorthwest Himalaya and East Asia. 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 of 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.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5 - 9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone4a - 8a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH4 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-29 - (-4)
Temperature (°F)-20 - 25
Height3.5 m
Spread3 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodJune

Description and Growing Information

CultivationSoil 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.
Notable SpecimensWestonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England.
HabitatDry scrub and rocky slopes in lime rich soil at an elevation of 1200 - 4200 metres.

Photographs