Abelia x grandiflora 'Sunrise'
Previously known as:
- Linnaea x gradiflora 'Sunrise'
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-BEE-lee-a gran-dee-FLO-ra
- Description
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Sunrise Glossy Abelia is an evergreen shrub in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). In colder climates, it is semi-evergreen. The branch sport was discovered in a field of cultivated Glossy Abelias at Taylor’s Nursery, Raleigh, North Carolina. The genus was named after Dr. Clark Abel, an 18th-century naturalist and physician. The specific epithet means “large-flowered”.
The densely branched shrub grows best in full sun with average, rich, well-drained soil. The average mature size is 3-5 feet tall and wide. Apply fertilizer in early spring and throughout the growing season to encourage flowering. Since the flowers bloom on new wood, prune no later than late winter and early spring. Propagate by stem cutting.
Whether planted in sun or shade, the leaves remain variegated with golden or yellow edges. In the fall, the showy leaves are yellow, orange or red. The flowers are fragrant and bloom from spring to fall. The shrub is deer-resistant and drought, humidity, and salt tolerant.
Trim the arching branches and plant as a hedge or screen. Grow as a foundation plant, in borders, as a specimen, in mass planting, or in a 3 gallon or larger container. Plant it in a pollinator or drought tolerant garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Abelia
- Species:
- x grandiflora
- Family:
- Caprifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Any seeds produced are likely to be sterile
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Pale pink fragrant bell-shaped flowers in clusters from summer through fall. The reddish calyces persist into winter.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Simple, opposite glossy variegated leaves start out dark green with gold margins and mature to creamy yellow. Fall color varies, red, orange, yellow.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Light Brown
- Bark Description:
- The bark is brown, gray, and tan.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The new stems are reddish.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Humidity
- Rabbits
- Salt