James Burghardt
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Botanical Name
ABELIA x grandiflora 'Conti'(CONFETTI®) PP8472
Plant Common Name
Confetti® Glossy Abelia, Glossy Abelia
General Description
The compact Confetti® has beautifully variegated leaves that are green with white margins. Even more spectacular is the newly emerging foliage, which has a bright pink hue. The lovely leaves look even better when the plants become covered with flowers.
Glossy abelia is a dense, rounded shrub with arching branches. It is primarily grown for its masses of long-lasting flowers but is a handsome shrub regardless. This hybrid of Abelia chinensis and Abelia uniflora is evergreen in warmer climates and semi-evergreen farther north.
The small ovate leaves of Confetti® are glossy, deep green and edged in cream. In cold weather, they become tinged with rose and bronze. Small clusters of flowers cover the branch tips throughout the growing season but are heaviest in the first flush of the season. The small, fragrant, palest pink to ivory blooms are subtended by persistent, pink, five-parted calyces that keep looking pretty after the flowers fade and fall.
Abelia prefers sites with full to partial sun and acid to neutral, well-drained soil. It is surprisingly drought tolerant, especially when planted in partial sun, and takes well to pruning, though it has a beautiful natural habit. This popular landscape shrub has a neat appearance and works well in foundation plantings, mixed borders or mass plantings. It is deer resistant and its flowers attract bees and butterflies.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 9
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
1'-3' / 0.3m - 0.9m (2)
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Width
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m (4)
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Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
Hybrid Origin
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Soil Compaction
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Cushion/Mound-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Light Pink
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Foliage Color (Spring)
White, Light Green, Pink
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
White, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
White, Dark Green, Pink
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Winter)
White, Dark Green, Pink
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Variegated
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Bark Color
Tan, Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
Yes
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Exfoliating
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Usage
Edging, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
No