Abelia, Glossy Abelia

This is an exceptional shrub---especially some of the cultivars.

It blooms for an exceptionally long season, at a time (Ju...Read Morely-September) when few shrubs are in bloom. After the petals drop, the maroon calices extend the display.

The small glossy leaves are attractive and fine-textured, and usually tinted with purple. They're often evergreen, even as far north as Boston.

It's tough, vigorous, and adaptable, enjoying both sun and shade, and tolerating drought once established. If it gets damaged or overgrown, it can be renewal pruned in early spring like a buddleia, by cutting it almost to the ground, without sacrificing any flowers, because it blooms on new wood.