Abelia 'Edward Goucher' (Pink Abelia) - This is an evergreen shrub that grows to at least 4 to 6 feet tall and as wide in mild climates. The glossy 1/2- to 3/4-inch-long leaves clothe arching branches with foliage bronze tinged when young. From early summer until fall an abundance of lilac-pink bell-shaped flowers with orange throats are produced. Fall color is enhanced by bronzing of foliage and persistent copper-colored flower sepals.
Plant in full sun to light shade. Low water needs along coast but looks best with moderate irrigation. Hardy to 15 F. It can be used as a shrubby border or as a screen and looks best when pruned selectively although tolerant of hard shearing. Can be cut to the ground to encourage new long arching branches.
This hybrid between Abelia x grandiflora (itself a hybrid between Abelia chinensis × Abelia uniflora) and Abelia schumannii was introduced in 1911 by Edward Goucher of the United States Department of Agriculture. It is similar to Abelia x grandiflora, but does not grow as tall and while Abelia grandiflora has white flowers, 'Edward Goucher' has pink flowers and finer textured foliage. Abelia is a genus of up to 30 species with a disjunct distribution of eastern Asia and southern North America (Mexico). The name for the genus honors Dr. Clarke Abel, a physician and author who discovered the Abelia chinensis in China in 1816. More recently a study conducted by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew separated the species of Abelia into four genera with many of them such as this plant listed as species or cultivars within the genus Linnaea, but Kew's own database continues to list these plants as Abelia. We grew this durable and attractive shrub from 1979 until 2007.
The information about Abelia 'Edward Goucher' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |