Overview

Abelia 'Little Richard' is a bushy shrubs in the genus Abelia, part of the Caprifoliaceae family, with semi-evergreen foliage. Abelia 'Little Richard' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, mediterranean climate plants, gravel garden, low maintenance, flower borders and beds and wall side borders.

About

Abelia 'Little Richard' is a compact, well-branched shrub in the Caprifoliaceae family with semi-evergreen foliage and a long summer flowering season from June to September. Plant in full sun on a moist but well-drained loam with a neutral pH and a sheltered, south- or east-facing aspect. It carries a rounded habit suited to containers, borders and informal plantings, and is rated H5 (hardy) for UK conditions.

About the genus

Abelia is a genus of flowering plants in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae. The genus currently includes six species native to China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Wikipedia contributors, "Abelia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Abelia

In the garden

Abelia 'Little Richard' belongs to the genus Abelia within the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, and presents semi-evergreen leaves with a compact, well-branched form. It is valued for sustained summer flowering and a shape that suits both confined and looser planting arrangements. Give it full sun in a fertile loam that stays moist but drains freely; avoid waterlogged spots. A neutral soil pH is preferred. Position the shrub on a south- or east-facing site where exposure is sheltered from cold winds — its H5 rating means it is classed as hardy in UK terms but benefits from protection on exposed plots. Use Abelia 'Little Richard' where a summer-flowering shrub is needed: patio containers and wall-side borders work well, as do cottage or informal gardens, gravel areas and flower beds. It is straightforward to place among mixed borders or as a compact feature on a patio. Expect a long display of flowers between June and September, after which the plant’s semi-evergreen foliage helps maintain structure into the cooler months.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Abelia

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Abelia 'Little Richard' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Shrubs

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Semi-evergreen

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants, Gravel garden, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Abelia 'Little Richard'

Propagation

Softwood cuttings in early summer, Semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

May be susceptible to honey fungus

Frequently asked questions