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Abelia x grandiflora 'Little Richard'

Image of Abelia x grandiflora 'Little Richard'

James Burghardt

Family

Caprifoliaceae

Botanical Name

Abelia x grandiflora 'Little Richard'

Plant Common Name

Glossy Abelia, Little Richard Glossy Abelia

General Description

If you are looking for a super cute dwarf glossy abelia then ‘Little Richard’ is your shrub. This bushy cultivar is less than half the size of standard types, and it’s just as vigorous.

Glossy abelia is a dense, rounded shrub with arching branches. It is primarily grown for its masses of long-lasting flowers but looks good year-round. This hybrid of Abelia chinensis and Abelia uniflora is evergreen in warmer climates and semi-evergreen further north.

Its small ovate leaves are glossy and dark green. In cold weather, the foliage develops attractive bronze hues. Many small clusters of flowers cover the branch tips throughout the growing season but are heaviest early on. The ivory blooms are small, tubular, and fragrant, and each is subtended by five pink sepals.

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

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 6

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 9

  • 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

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m (3)

  • Width

    2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m (3)

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Soil Compaction

  • Growth Rate

    Slow

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Light Pink

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Light Green, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Red, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green, Burgundy, Dark Red

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze

  • Bark Color

    Tan, Brown, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    Yes

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No