Glossy Abelia Spacing Requirements

History

• A native of China, abelia is named after Clarke Abel, a surgeon and naturalist posted to the British embassy in the early 19th century. Abel managed to get specimens back to London, and the plant was introduced in England in 1844. Around the turn of the 20th century, Abelia chinensis was crossed with A. uniflora, creating the glossy abelia. In the United States, the plant does well in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. It is easily grown, preferring bright light or full sun. It grows best in acid soil that is moist and well-drained.

Mass Planting

• For a mass planting, the University of Florida extension service recommends spacing plants 4 to 5 feet apart. Set plants back several feet from any sidewalk, driveway or other path. Plants have a spreading habit, growing wider than taller. When pruning, the extension service advises that you keep the bottom of the plant wider than the top so light can get to the lower areas.

Foundation Spacing

• Foundation plantings can be made on 4- to 6-foot centers. For hedges, plant slightly closer together. As a member of the honeysuckle family, abelia has a spreading habit. Unlike honeysuckle vines, abelia is not a fast grower. A slow- to moderate-growth hedge can be maintained with two clippings a year. For the first pruning, cut in the spring just before new growth begins, advises the University of Arkansas extension service.

Required Spacing

• The increase in the number of city landscape ordinances combined with glossy abelia's popularity has led to some required spacing requirements in certain areas. For example, the city of Hurst, Texas, lists glossy abelia as a small shrub in its commercial property landscaping ordinance. When glossy abelia shrubs are used in the parking entrance islands of a commercial property, they are required by ordinance to be planted on 3-foot centers.

Abelia Cultivars

• Glossy abelia cultivars vary in size and growth habit. Some cultivars, such as Abelia grandiflora 'Edward Goucher', are well suited to general spacing guidelines for glossy abelia. 'Prostata' has a prostrate growth pattern and is better suited as a ground cover. 'Compacta' reaches 3 to 4 feet tall, good for a short hedge but not suited for a tall planting.