Abelia engleriana Engler abelia

Engler abelia is quite a different looking shrub compared to other abelias. There are several differences: it is deciduous, it has larger flowers and is very hardy.

The funnel-shaped flowers are wider, about 2 cm long, solid pink on the outside and light pink inside with a conspicuous golden yellow blotch. The leaves are elliptic, deep green, partly glossy with thin red margins. The twigs are brownish-red. Thanks to longer branches the flowering is not as crowded as on smaller abelias.

This is an airy shrub growing medium slow about 1.5m tall and wide. It can be pruned for denser habit in early spring. Engler abelia is a nice plant for summer-styled gardens as it starts flowering in early summer and continues till its end. It is an ideal plant for those of you who rather than bold and showy flowers prefer something neat, natural and subtle.

Abelias are soil tolerant but will thrive in good, well-drained soil, definitely in full sun. Fully hardy to -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 31-12-2008.