Pink Piñata™ Abelia

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 4 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2-3 Feet

Mature Spread

3-4 Feet

Growing Zones

6 to 9

Pink Piñata™ Abelia earns its place with saturated pink blooms and showy coral bracts that hold color far longer than standard varieties. Abelia × ‘SMNABP’ forms a naturally rounded mound just 2–3 feet tall and wide, making it far easier to place than older, sprawling types. Flower clusters appear at the tips on new wood, followed by colorful bracts that extend the display well beyond peak bloom. As temperatures cool, foliage deepens with burgundy tones that emphasize its tidy shape. 

Heat tolerance is one of its strongest assets, performing reliably through southern summers without thinning out. This abelia is also deer resistant for worry-free planting in rural gardens. Pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds, regularly visit the tubular blooms throughout summer. Its dense branching and strong root system give it a polished look in containers and low hedges with minimal intervention. 

Pink Piñata™ Abelia Care

Plant this abelia in full sun to part sun, providing at least four to six hours of direct light daily for best flowering. It tolerates a range of soils but performs best in well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH between 6.5 and 7.5. When planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and set the crown level with the surrounding soil.

Water thoroughly after planting and maintain moderate moisture during establishment, allowing the upper layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Once established, it tolerates short dry spells, though consistent moisture supports heavier bloom. Fertilizer is rarely necessary in average garden soil, but a light application of granular shrub fertilizer in early spring can encourage vigorous new growth.

Because it blooms on new wood, pruning is best done in late winter or very early spring before growth begins. Avoid midsummer trimming if flowers are desired, as this will remove developing buds. In colder zones, apply a 2–3 inch mulch layer to insulate the root system.

Pink Piñata™ Abelia Spacing

Space plants 24–36 inches apart when creating a low hedge or mass planting to allow the mounded habit to fill in evenly. For containers, choose a pot at least 14–16 inches wide with strong drainage.

We recommend Pink Piñata™ as a boxwood alternative in regions battling blight, where structure and durability both matter. In mixed borders, pair with catmint and yarrow for a drought-tolerant planting that highlights the pink blooms. For layered foundation beds, combine with spirea and ajuga to contrast foliage texture and extend seasonal interest.

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