Abelia chinensis

The Chinese Abelia often reveals its presence through the fragrance of its countless small flowers, capable of scenting an entire garden in warm weather. It is a deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub, or even evergreen in mild climates, of modest appearance and accommodating temperament, but with great robustness and undeniable charm. It tirelessly blooms, from summer to frost, in a multitude of pure white flowers with matte pink calyxes that persist on the bush in autumn, alongside the small leaves that turn violet with bronze highlights. Hardy and drought-resistant, this abelia deserves a place in the garden, in a flowering hedge or in a grove, if only for the unforgettable fragrance of its flowering.

The Chinese Abelia, also known as Abelia rupestris, is a shrubby botanical species belonging to the caprifoliaceae family, just like honeysuckles or the Kolwitzia amabilis that resembles it. It is native to temperate regions of China, where it often grows in deciduous woods. Its habit is bushy and spreading, flexible and dense. Its growth rate is moderate, depending on the growing conditions. At maturity, this abelia will not exceed 2m (6.5ft) in all directions. Flowering occurs from July to October. The small tubular flowers, 2cm (0.8in) long, appear at the end of young branches, gathered in small panicles. The inside of the corolla is pure white, while the reverse is tinged with pink. Each flower is enclosed in a calyx of old rose colour that persists long after the flower has fallen. This flowering releases a powerful fragrance, a subtle blend of lilac, jasmine, and hyacinth, which attracts many pollinating insects. The reddish branches of the Chinese Abelia, bear small green and shiny leaves, opposite in pairs, entire, ovate in shape, with irregularly crenate edges. They take on pretty violet to bronze hues in autumn and persist throughout the winter, as long as the frosts are not too severe.

The Chinese Abelia is a highly floriferous and remarkably fragrant shrub that deserves a place in all gardens with relatively mild winters. While its hardiness does not exceed -12/-15°C (10.4 - 5°F) in well-drained soil, it tolerates all types of soils, even poor ones, and resists summer drought well. Its stout and dense, yet flexible habit allows it to be planted in a flowering hedge alongside buddleias, kolwitzia, mock oranges, lilacs, and other ceanothus, or in the middle of autumn flower beds, combined with asters, Japanese anemones, tricyrtis, etc. It also grows very well in a large pot, which can be placed on the terrace to scent summer evenings.