Abelia 'Edward Goucher'

RHS Plant Profile
abelia 'Edward Goucher'
Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs

A compact, bushy shrub flowering on arching stems, with glossy, semi-evergreen foliage with a bronze tint when young. The abundant, fragrant flowers appear in spring and summer and are lilac-pink, while the calyx lobes surrounding them are bronze-tinged in contrast. A well-proven resilient plant

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Abelia can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees, with paired or whorled leaves and axillary or terminal clusters of funnel-shaped or trumpet-shaped flowers in summer and autumn, sometimes with conspicuous, colourful calyces
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Very easy to grow in reasonable conditions although not fully hardy; requires a sheltered, sunny position

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 8. May need hard pruning (Pruning Group 6) every 3 to 4 years

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus