Radiance Glossy Abelia

Hardy in zones 6 through 8, Radiance Glossy Abelia is an abelia like no other! Its sweet-smelling, pearly, trumpet-like flowers will serenade your garden from spring to fall. Bright red stems cradle abundant green-and-yellow foliage in spring and silver-and-white foliage later in the season, creating a kaleidoscope of color. Butterflies drawn to the jasmine-like fragrance and bold color will mingle throughout your landscape, bringing an air of light and joy all season long. 

This densely formed shrub is deer tolerant and drought resistant once established. It requires little maintenance and has no issue dealing with pests or diseases on its own. Classified as a semi-evergreen, the glossy radiance of the abelia’s foliage will persist through the colder months. Its form makes it ideal for an informal hedge, anchor, or container plant. It also does well planted in small groupings in garden beds and borders in either formal or informal gardening styles. 

Radiance Glossy Abelia Care

Plant this shrub in an area that receives full sunlight, although if unavailable, it can tolerate partial shade to an extent. Keep in mind that the full sun allows it to produce more flowers than in the shade. It prefers medium-moisture, well-drained clay, loam, and sandy soil types and can tolerate a wide variety of soil pHs from alkaline to acidic. Water about twice a week once the soil at the base of the plant has dried out. Abelias need to be fertilized twice yearly on average, once in the spring after the last frost has passed using a 10-10-10 fertilizer mix and once in the middle of the summer during peak growth. 

Prune in late winter to early spring, leaving new growth alone, as flowers bloom on new wood. If the form of the shrub needs shaping, prune it to the desired shape in the spring. Every 3 to 4 years, it might need a hard pruning to rejuvenate growth; cut down the entire plant to 3 to 6 inches above the ground in the spring before any foliage appears. 

Radiance Glossy Abelia Spacing

This shrub has a height and spread of 3 to 5 feet. Space plants about 5 feet apart, either in groups or alone. When grown in a container, use a large pot twice the size of the root ball.