Abelia x grandiflora (a-BEE-lee-a gran-dee-FLO-ra)
Family: CaprifoliaceaeUnknownShrub (3-15 ft)
Shrub (3-15 ft)Unknown
'Rose Creek' Glossy Abelia is a compact, low-growing shrub in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). It was bred by the University of Georgia and is named after the Rose Creek that runs in Oconee County, Georgia. Genus name honors Dr. Clark Abel an 18th century English naturalist and physician. This 3-4 feet tall and slightly wider shrub is evergreen to semi-evergreen in warmer winter areas. It will die to the ground in cold winter areas. Plant in the full sun to partial shade in fertile moist well-drained soils. It blooms on new wood so can be pruned at any time. In late winter prune any dead or damaged branches and shape to size. Once established, it is very drought and erosion-tolerant. Clusters of tubular-shaped, dainty white mildly fragrant flowers cover this abelia from May to frost. Leaves emerge in spring with a pinkish cast, turning a lustrous dark green in summer and a purple/green in fall. Use this shrub in the foundation front, in small groups, in the border of a pollinator garden or on slopes. Insects Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. More information on Abelia x grandiflora .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheAbelia x grandifloraIlex cornuta 'Rotunda'Lantana camara 'Miss Huff'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Mounding
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves emerge in spring with a pinkish cast, turning a lustrous dark green in summer and a purple/green in fall.
Fall color
Purple/Lavender
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
1/2 inch white mildly fragrant tubular flowers appear in clusters from spring through fall.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Reddish stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators.