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Korean abelialeaf Abeliophyllum distichum

Phonetic Spelling
a-be-li-o-FIL-um DIS-ti-kum
Description

Korean Abelia is native to Korea and drought-tolerant. It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. While this plant does not tolerate wet conditions, it is adaptable to many soil types. 

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. It does well to be planted in groups so the blooms can be enjoyed. However, Korean Abelia is not a specimen plant and should be placed in the background, as the plant is not that attractive after bloom.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#arching#deciduous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#pink flowers#purple leaves#low maintenance#fall interest#fast growing#rounded#background planting#border back#partial shade tolerant#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#arching#deciduous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#pink flowers#purple leaves#low maintenance#fall interest#fast growing#rounded#background planting#border back#partial shade tolerant#hedge
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Description:
    Non-showy fruit (similar to an Elm's fruit)
  • 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 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).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    This plant has opposite, smooth-edged, simple, medium-sized green leaves that are 2 to 3.5 inches long. The leaves have unremarkable purplish fall color.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought