Raspberry Perfection™ Abelia

The perfect all-round shrub for any garden, the Raspberry Perfection™ Abelia is ideal for foundation planting around your home, filling shrub beds anywhere in the garden, as a low hedge, and for pots and planters too. Growing to around 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide, it has a dense, compact form, so unlike older abelia varieties it needs little trimming – that’s one less job to fit into your busy schedule. With small, inch-long, glossy leaves that are almost evergreen in hotter zones, it starts to bloom in early summer and is still going strong into the fall months. Flowers cover most of the plant, and open in succession. Plus, the small, pale-pink flowers leave behind a raspberry-colored cup (the sepals) that lasts for weeks, boosting the color value of this fabulous little shrub. Easy to grow in ordinary garden conditions, needing little care, this is an ideal shrub to plant anywhere. For a fabulous short hedge – to fill an awkward, narrow bed, for example, space plants 2 feet apart. Great too in a planter box, alone or surrounded by annual flowers or low perennials.

• Perfect compact form needs little trimming
• Soft-pink flowers fall to leave behind a raspberry-colored sepal cup
• Attractive, semi-evergreen glossy leaves
• Ideal for beds, low hedges or planters
• Very easy to grow – ideal shrub for beginners

Grow the Raspberry Perfection™ Abelia in full sun, or with a touch of shade – not too much. Plant it in average garden soil that is well-drained and not too dry. It does have a slight preference for acidic soils, but will grow in neutral to slightly alkaline ones too. Water new plants regularly, but once established it will tolerate periods of drought with ease. Deer don’t eat it, and it rarely has any pest or disease problems to worry about. Trim lightly in fall, after the flowers are over, or leave until late winter, before new growth begins. Older plants should have a few of the oldest stems removed close to the ground in spring, to regenerate your bush and give it new life.