Abelia


ABELIA CHINENSIS (_syn A. rupestris_).--The Rock Abelia China, 1844.

This is a neat, twiggy shrub, growing from 2 ft. to 3 ft. high, with

slender shoots, and very pleasing, shining green serrated leaves. The

tubular, sweet-scented flowers are produced in clusters at the ends of

the shoots, even the smallest, and are of a very delicate shade of

pink--indeed, almost white. It makes an excellent wall plant, but by

no mean
refuses to grow and flower freely without either shelter or

protection, provided a fairly rich and well drained soil is provided.

From August to October is the flowering period of this handsome

deciduous shrub. This is the only really hardy species of the genus,

for though the rosy-purple flowered A. floribunda from Mexico has stood

for several years uninjured in the South of England, it is not to be

relied upon. Both species are readily propagated from cuttings.



A. TRIFLORA.--Himalayan regions, 1847. A half-hardy and beautiful

species with small lanceolate, entire leaves, and pretty star-shaped

flowers that are white and flushed with pink. The long, narrow, and

hairy calyx-lobes give a light and feathery appearance to the flowers,

which are produced continuously from May to November. It does best as a

wall plant, and several beautiful examples may be seen in and around

London, as also at Exeter, and in the South of Ireland.



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