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 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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 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 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:
- Non-showy fruit (similar to an Elm's 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 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
- 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.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
