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'''''Abelia''''' is a [[genus]] of about 15-30 [[species]] and many [[hybrid]]s in the honeysuckle family [[Caprifoliaceae]].
Abelias are [[shrub]]s from 1-6 m tall, native to eastern [[Asia]] ([[Japan]] west to the [[Himalaya]]) and southern [[North America]] ([[Mexico]]); the species from warm climates are [[evergreen]], and colder climate species [[deciduous]]. Graceful, arching branches which are densely clothed with oval, usually glossy leaves 1/2 to 1-1/2 in. long; having bronzy new growth. The [[leaf|leaves]] are opposite or in whorls of three, ovate, glossy, dark green, 1.5-8 cm long, turning purplish-bronze to red in autumn in the deciduous species. The [[flower]]s appear in the upper leaf axils and stem ends, 1-8 together in a short [[cyme]]; they are pendulous, white to pink, bell-shaped with a five-lobed corolla, 1-5 cm long, and usually scented. Tubular or bell-shaped flowers come in clusters at ends of branches or among leaves. Flowering continues over a long and continuous late spring to fall period. The small, plentiful blossoms are enough to be showy, mostly during summer to early fall. After blooms drop, they usually leave purplish or copper-colored sepals that give color into the fall.
'''''Abelia''''' is a [[genus]] of about 15-30 [[species]] and many [[hybrid]]s in the honeysuckle family [[Caprifoliaceae]], in the part of that family split off by some authors in the [[segregate (taxonomy)|segregate]] family [[Linnaeaceae]]. The [[Angiosperm Phylogeny Group]] considers Linnaeaceae to encompass such genera as ''Linnaea'', ''Abelia'', ''Dipelta'', ''Kolkwitzia'', and ''Zabelia''. Named after Dr Clarke Abel, a British physician and plant collector.
'''''Abelia''''' is a [[genus]] of about 15-30 [[species]] and many [[hybrid]]s in the honeysuckle family [[Caprifoliaceae]], in the part of that family split off by some authors in the [[segregate (taxonomy)|segregate]] family [[Linnaeaceae]]. The [[Angiosperm Phylogeny Group]] considers Linnaeaceae to encompass such genera as ''Linnaea'', ''Abelia'', ''Dipelta'', ''Kolkwitzia'', and ''Zabelia''. Named after Dr Clarke Abel, a British physician and plant collector.
;Selected species
;Selected species
;Hybrids
;Hybrids
*''[[Abelia x grandiflora]]'' Hort. ex. Bailey
*''[[Abelia x grandiflora]]'' Hort. ex. Bailey, hybrid of 2 parents from China
===Cultivation===
===Cultivation===
Abelias are popular [[garden]] shrubs. The most widely grown is the hybrid ''[[Abelia x grandiflora]]'' (Glossy Abelia; hybrid ''Abelia chinensis'' x ''Abelia uniflora''). This is a rounded, spreading, multi-stemmed shrub with gracefully arching branches to 1-1.8 m tall, with ovate, glossy, dark green semi-evergreen leaves to 2-6 cm long, and clusters of white-tinged-pink, bell-shaped flowers to 2 cm long.
Abelias are popular [[garden]] shrubs. The most widely grown is the hybrid ''[[Abelia x grandiflora]]'' (Glossy Abelia; hybrid ''Abelia chinensis'' x ''Abelia uniflora''). This is a rounded, spreading, multi-stemmed shrub with gracefully arching branches to 1-1.8 m tall, with ovate, glossy, dark green semi-evergreen leaves to 2-6 cm long, and clusters of white-tinged-pink, bell-shaped flowers to 2 cm long.
Plant in well-drained, moderately fertile soil, in a sun. Moderate frost hardiness, prune in winter, removing some of the basal shoots to make room for new growth, plus the cane ends. Take care to preserve the plant's naturally arching habit.
Plant in well-drained, moderately fertile soil, in a sun. Moderate frost hardiness, prune selectively in winter to keep the shrub's graceful form, removing some of the basal shoots to make room for new growth, plus the cane ends. Take care to preserve the plant's naturally arching habit. Don't shear, the more stems you cut to the ground in winter or early spring, the more open and arching next year's growth will be.
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
===Uses===
===Uses===
''Abelia'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species - see [[list of Lepidoptera which feed on Abelia]].
''Abelia'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species - see [[list of Lepidoptera which feed on Abelia]].
Abelias are adaptable in the garden, useful in shrub borders, as space dividers and visual barriers, and near house walls; lower kinds are good bank or ground covers.
==References and external links==
==References and external links==
*Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608
*Barnes, P. 2001. Looking at Abelias. New Plantsman 8(2): 78-92 (clarification of nomenclature, history, and cultivars with an excellent key and photographs).
*Barnes, P. 2001. Looking at Abelias. New Plantsman 8(2): 78-92 (clarification of nomenclature, history, and cultivars with an excellent key and photographs).
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=3&taxon_id=100018 Flora of China: ''Abeila'' species list]
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=3&taxon_id=100018 Flora of China: ''Abeila'' species list]