Abelia chinensis explained

Abelia chinensis, commonly known as Chinese abelia, is a species of flowering plant in the honeysuckle family Caprifoliaceae. It is a semi-evergreen, densely branched shrub with dark green foliage.

The species was described by Robert Brown in 1818.

Description

It is a compact deciduous shrub^[1] with reddish stems and glossy, small leaves that become reddish-brown before autumn. Its simplified-form flowers are funnel-shaped, white, and its pink sepals remain long after flowering. As long as the plant continues to make new growth during the summer, it will continue to flower. It is one of the most cold-resistant species within the genus.

Distribution and habitat

The plant is found in south-central China and south-eastern China, as well as Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Ryukyu Islands.^[2]

Varieties

Five varieties are accepted.

• Abelia chinensis var. aschersoniana (synonym Abelia aschersoniana) – Lantau Island, Hong Kong
• Abelia chinensis var. chinensis (synonyms Abelia cavaleriei and Abelia rupestris) – southern China, Taiwan, and Vietnam
• Abelia chinensis var. hanceana (synonym Abelia hanceana) – southeastern China
• Abelia chinensis var. ionandra (synonym Abelia ionandra) – Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan
• Abelia chinensis var. lipoensis (synonym Abelia lipoensis) – southern China

Cultivation

Abelia chinensis is widely cultivated as an ornamental garden plant.^[3] The cultivar 'China Rose'^[4] has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Abelia chinensis. Royal Horticultural Society. 20 December 2017.
2. Web site: Abelia chinensis . Qiner Yang & Sven Landrein . Flora of China . Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA . 10 October 2012.
3. E.g., Web site: Abelia chinensis R. Br. . The Royal Horticultural Society . 10 October 2012.
4. Book: RHS Plant Finder 2017. 2017. Royal Horticultural Society. United Kingdom. 978-1907057779. 960.