What soil does Glossy abelia grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, acidic.

Is Glossy abelia hardy?

Hardy down to -23 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H7). It gets through winter everywhere at lower altitudes, but may not survive unprotected in a mountain garden.

Is Glossy abelia toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

How far from the house should Glossy abelia be planted?

Plant it at least 1 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Glossy abelia be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 1 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 2 plants per metre.

When does Glossy abelia flower?

Flowering: June–October, white, pink.

How much water does Glossy abelia need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Glossy abelia

Abelia × grandiflora

Glossy abelia (Abelia × grandiflora) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -23 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Non-toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €30.

Illustration of Glossy abelia — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A semi-evergreen shrub with arching branches and glossy leaves that carries small, white, pink-flushed, scented bell flowers from early summer until the autumn frosts and is busy with bees and butterflies. In autumn the foliage turns bronze and burgundy, and the pink calyces stay decorative after the flowers fall. Plant it in a sunny, warm spot sheltered from wind, in well-drained soil: it can be cut back by a hard winter, but it resprouts from the base in spring and, because it flowers on new growth, still blooms that year.

Watch out for

Its hardiness is borderline in Central Europe: it keeps most of its leaves in a mild winter and drops them in a colder one, the stems are badly damaged at around minus 18 °C and in a severe winter it can die back to the ground. The base usually survives and resprouts, but the shrub stays lower that year. Plant it in a sheltered, sunny, south-facing position, mulch the base in the first years and cut out the frosted wood in spring. Avoid windy sites, frost pockets and waterlogged soil. It has hardly any pests or diseases; aphids appear occasionally.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.2 m × 1.2 m
Hardiness: down to -23 °C
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–October, white, pink

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.2 m × 1.2 m
Ultimate size	0.9–2 m × 0.9–1.8 m
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic
Foliage	Semi-evergreen
Flowering	June–October, white, pink
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	100 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €30

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €30

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Plants that are non-toxic to children Hedge plants Shrubs for pollinators Plants for containers Low-maintenance shrubs Plants for a Mediterranean garden Flowering shrubs Fragrant plants Fragrant shrubs Plants with autumn colour Shrubs with autumn colour

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