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About this plant
What makes this plant special
'Little Richard' is a dwarf abelia that forms a rounded cushion of about 60 cm tall and 90 cm wide. In spring it pushes out red shoots, and its leaves have an unusually high gloss. That size makes it a good fit for low hedges, border edges and patio containers, where it stays decorative over a long season.
Abelia
Abelias (Abelia) are deciduous to semi-evergreen shrubs from East Asia, mainly China, with gracefully arching branches. They are valued for their long, scented flowering of small white to pink trumpet flowers, and for the coppery calyces that remain after the flowers have dropped, set against foliage that often turns purplish in autumn.
Abelia zanderi
Abelia zanderi is a little-known Chinese species with a compact habit that is both rounded and spreading, on fine, slightly arching stems. From July to September or October it carries clusters of small, scented, white to faintly pink flowers held in pinkish bracts, which stay decorative into autumn as the semi-evergreen leaves take on bronze tones.
Location and soil
Prefers full sun or light shade and a light, well-drained soil that stays fresh in summer; avoid wet, heavy ground. Its hardiness is moderate and the compact forms are among the more frost-sensitive abelias, so choose a sheltered spot, protect the base in cold winters, or move container plants to a frost-free place when hard frost is forecast.
Pruning and care
Easy to maintain. At the end of winter, in March or April, cut out dead or frost-damaged tips and lightly shape the plant if needed; the flowers form on the new season's shoots, so this does not reduce flowering. Water container plants regularly in summer and mulch plants in open ground before winter.
Use in the garden
Thanks to its modest size it suits small gardens, the front of borders and low informal hedges, and it combines well with low perennials or small roses. It is especially suitable for pots and planters on a terrace or balcony. The scented flowers are popular with bees and other pollinators.
Plant characteristics
Botanical
| Family | Caprifoliaceae |
| Genus | Abelia |
| Species | zanderi |
| Cultivar | 'Little Richard' |
Flowering
| Flowering period | july to october |
| Colour (flower) | white |
| Flowers | fragrant |
Foliage
| Evergreen | yes |
| Colour (foliage) | green |
Growth habit
| Height | 50 cm, 100 cm |
Location
| Winter hardiness | -20 °C, -15 °C |
| Location | sun |
Use
| Type (use) | solitary, in group |
Care
| Pruning | march to april |
