Korean abelialeaf Abeliophyllum distichum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-be-li-o-FIL-um DIS-ti-kum
- Description
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Korean abelia is a perennial shrub native to Korea in the olive family (Oleaceae). It is considered endangered in the wild in Korea. The genus name is in honor of Clark Abel a British surgeon and naturalist. The Greek suffix of phyllum means "leaf." The specific epithet means "two-ranked" in reference to the placement of the leaves.
This shrub will grow 3-5 feet tall with a 3-4-foot spread. It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. It is adaptable to various soils as long as they are well-drained. Prune immediately after flowering because flower buds develop on the current year's growth. Korean abelia can be severely pruned every few years to reduce a ragged appearance.
The spring flowers are white and sometimes pink-tinged. The green leaves are 2-ranked along the stems. The winged fruit is similar to that of an elm.
Use this plant in small groups to enjoy spring blooms. Plant herbaceous perennials or annuals in front of the shrub to hide a ragged appearance after blooming.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Roseum'
Flowers are pale pink.
- 'Roseum'
- 'Roseum'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Roseum'
Flowers are pale pink.
- 'Roseum'
- 'Roseum'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Abeliophyllum
- Species:
- distichum
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Korea
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Description:
- Winged fruit
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- This plant has white to lightly pink-tinted, 4-petaled flowers open from purple buds in spring (March and April) before leaves emerge. Flowers are borne in axillary racemes and are mildly fragrant (though not as showy as other forsythias).
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has opposite, smooth-edged, simple, medium-sized green leaves that are 2 to 3.5 inches long. They are 2-ranked along the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Surface:
- Corky Ridges
- Stem Description:
- Stems have corky ridges, are 4 sided and are purplish-brown to tan.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
