Abelia parviflora Bumblebee

Abelia parviflora Bumble Bee is a beautiful improvement of the species native to China, characterized by its very long flowering period and the brilliance of its flowers. This lovely variety is covered with bell-shaped, slightly scented flowers in a beautiful lilac-pink colour throughout the summer. Its reddish calyxs remain decorative for a long time on an elegant semi-evergreen foliage. This easy-to-grow abelia is a reliable choice in regions spared from very harsh winters. It deserves a place in the garden, in a flowering hedge. The Royal Horticultural Society has recognized it for its ornamental qualities and performance in the garden.

The Abelia parviflora (synonyms schumannii or longituba) 'Bumble Bee' is a beautiful European horticultural creation with somewhat obscure origins. Like all Abelia, as well as honeysuckles and Kolkwitzia amabilis, it belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. The habit of this shrub is both bushy and slightly spreading, carried by flexible reddish-coloured branches. Its growth is quite rapid, depending on the growing conditions. At maturity, after 5 to 10 years, this abelia will reach an average size of 1.50m (4.92 ft) in all directions, with its branches tending to spread over time. Flowering occurs from July to September, earlier or later depending on the climate, on one-year-old and older branches. The buds, a slightly pinkish red, open into small campanulate flowers, 1.5cm (0.6in) wide, grouped in panicles at the axils of the leaves. The inside of the corolla is a bright mauve pink, the throat is spotted with yellow-orange on a white background, while the reverse is tinged with pale lilac pink. The reddish calyxes of the flowers persist on the branches until late in the season, long after the flowers have faded. This flowering releases a subtle and pleasant fragrance, which attracts numerous pollinating insects. The branches of the Bumble Bee abelia bear small pointed, bright green, shiny leaves opposite in pairs. They take on pretty red-orange hues in autumn and persist until early winter, as long as the frosts are not too severe. Note that this Chinese abelia prefers slightly moist, humus-rich soils. It can withstand cold temperatures, down to -12 or -15°C (10.4 or 5°F) once it is mature.

The 'Bumble Bee' abelia is very floriferous and decorative for a good part of the year. Its hardiness is quite good in well-drained soil, its growth is moderate, and it possesses a unique personality that will leave its mark on the garden. It can be integrated into a medium-sized flowering hedge, alongside buddleias, Kolkwitzia, mock oranges, Syringa microphylla 'Superba', and other ceanothuses, or in the middle of autumn flower beds, combined with asters, Japanese anemones, tricyrtis, etc. It will work wonders in an ericaceous bed with rhododendrons, autumn camellias, and other Pieris. 'Bumble Bee' also grows very well in a container, which can be placed on the terrace. This method of cultivation allows it to be sheltered in very cold regions during winter.