Abelia x grandiflora 'Edward Goucher'

Description: A small semi evergreen shrub of great value for late summer/autumn interest in the small garden. Dark green foliage with a profusion of mauve pink flowers in clusters during late summer which attract butterflies. Drought tolerant.

Climate/Position: Thrives in full sun but also suited to partial shade. Protect from cold winter winds.

Height/Spread: Reaches 1.2 x 1.2 metre and so remaining smaller than many Abelia.

Soil Requirements: Suitable for any soil type. Prefers moist, well-drained site but is tolerant of drought.

Pruning: If pruning is required or to rejuvenate old plants and encourage flowering then cut out a number of the oldest twiggy shoots at ground level in spring. Tips of shoots may suffer die back in the coldest winters and therefore it may be desirable to trim these dead shoots back to growing points in late spring.

Special Requirements: A sheltered site or wall protection is preferred in colder areas.

Often a confusion in naming. A. x grandiflora x schumannii. Hybridized by Edward Goucher in Maryland, USA in 1911.

Abelia grandiflora is itself a hybrid of two Chinese species, A. chinensis pollinated by A. uniflora

'Edward Goucher' has a profusion of flowers as its parent A. x grandiflora with smaller habit and mauve flowers as its other parent A. schumannii.