About

Abelia chinensis 'China Rose' is a deciduous shrub that reaches approximately 1.5 meters in height. It features dark green, oval to rounded foliage and produces clusters of small, funnel-shaped flowers that are white with a pink blush during the summer and autumn months. The blooms emit a strong fragrance, and the pink outer bracts remain visually appealing even after the flowering period concludes.

About the genus

Abelia encompasses a range of deciduous and evergreen shrubs as well as small trees. The leaves can be arranged in pairs or whorls, while the flowers, which are typically funnel or trumpet-shaped, appear in clusters at the axils or tips of branches during the summer and fall. These blooms are occasionally accompanied by noticeable, vibrant calyces.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
1-1.5 metres
Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Fragrance
Flower

Care notes

Cultivation
Very easy to grow in reasonable conditions although not fully hardy; requires a sheltered, sunny position
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus