Abelia x grandiflora (a-BEE-lee-a gran-dee-FLO-ra)
Family: CaprifoliaceaeUnknownShrub (3-15 ft)
Shrub (3-15 ft)Unknown
Sunrise Glossy Abelia is an evergreen shrub in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). In colder climates, it is semi-evergreen. The branch sport was discovered in a field of cultivated Glossy Abelias at Taylor’s Nursery, Raleigh, North Carolina. The genus was named after Dr. Clark Abel, an 18th-century naturalist and physician. The specific epithet means “large-flowered”. The densely branched shrub grows best in full sun with average, rich, well-drained soil. The average mature size is 3-5 feet tall and wide. Apply fertilizer in early spring and throughout the growing season to encourage flowering. Since the flowers bloom on new wood, prune no later than late winter and early spring. Whether planted in sun or shade, the leaves remain variegated with golden or yellow edges. In the fall, the showy leaves are yellow, orange or red. The flowers are fragrant and bloom from spring to fall. The shrub is deer-resistant and drought, humidity, and salt tolerant. Trim the arching branches and plant as a hedge or screen. Grow as a foundation plant, in borders, as a specimen, in mass planting, or in a 3 gallon or larger container. Plant it in a pollinator or drought tolerant garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. More information on Abelia x grandiflora .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheIllicium parviflorum 'Florida Sunshine'Prunus 'Okame'Spiraea japonica 'Goldmound'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Mounding; Rounded
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow; Green; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Simple, opposite glossy variegated leaves start out dark green with gold margins and mature to creamy yellow. Fall color varies, red, orange, yellow.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Pale pink fragrant bell-shaped flowers in clusters from summer through fall. The reddish calyces persist into winter.