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Abeliophyllum distichum is often confused with:
Forsythia Forsythia
Ligustrum vulgare Ligustrum  vulgar Fruit
Native alternative(s) for Abeliophyllum distichum:
Ceanothus americanus Ceanothus americanus
Clethra alnifolia Clethra alnifolia
Hydrocotyle americana Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Aronia melanocarpa Form
Deutzia 'NCDX2' flowers
Hydrangea paniculata Flower Form

Korean abeliophyllum Abeliophyllum distichum

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

Korean Abelia is  a herbaceous 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 Latin suffix of 'phyllum' means leaf. The specific epithet means two rank in reference to the leaves.

This shrub will grow3-5 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 an elm.

Use this plant in small groups to enjoy spring blooms. Plant 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:
Tags:
#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:
#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 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Description:
    Winged 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 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought