Abelia grandiflora Prostrata

Abelia x grandiflora 'Prostrata' is a compact and prostrate form of abelia with large flowers. This specific feature makes it a beautiful ground cover bush, especially since it offers a particularly long and pleasantly fragrant summer flowering. Its small flowers, barely pinkish white, bloom in large numbers for almost 4 months. They look beautiful against the shiny dark green foliage that persists throughout the year in not too cold climates. Very easy to cultivate, hardy and drought-resistant, this unique and charming variety deserves a home in any garden.

Abelia x grandiflora is a bush from the Caprifoliaceae family. This hybrid is the result of cross-breeding between Abelia chinensis, native to temperate China, and A. uniflora, originating from eastern China. 'Prostrata' is mainly distinguished by its very low habit. This vigorous and hardy bush produces arching branches, almost pendulous. Wider than tall, with a moderately slow to slow growth, it will reach an average height of 80 cm (31.5 in) and a spread of 1.25 m (4.1 ft). Abelia offers a long fragrant flowering that lasts throughout the summer, from July to October, when few bushes are in bloom. Its countless small funnel-shaped corollas, barely pinkish white, are grouped in terminal panicles. These flowers, 2 cm (0.8 in) long, are composed of 2 to 5 sepals. As the flowers fade, they give way to beautiful calyxes composed of rusty-coloured bracts, which are very decorative on the autumn foliage. The formed fruits are called achenes, and contain only one seed. The arching branches bear glossy semi-evergreen foliage that is dark green until summer. The leaves, 5 cm (2 in) long, are ovate and more or less dentate. With the first cool nights, they take on a purplish hue, tinged with dark pink, and persist for a long time on the branches.

Hardy up to -17° C (1.4° F), not demanding on the nature of the soil and drought-resistant, it only requires light pruning at the end of winter. Abelia grandiflora 'Prostrata' can be placed both in groups with other low bushes, in flower beds or even in small free or pruned hedges. As a companion in a large ground cover and evergreen flower bed, one can choose Ceanothus prostratus, Buddleia 'Miss Ruby', Escallonia 'Red Carpet' or even Nandina 'Fire Power' for example. It is also suitable for cultivation in very large pots.