Culture sheet: hyacinth (Abelia Chinensis)

With its pinkish white ears with a bewitching scent, Abelia chinensis accompanies the blossoms of asters and other autumn beauties.

Few shrubs bloom at the end of the season, especially among those that attract bees and butterflies. Installed in my living hedge, Abelia chinensis goes unnoticed almost all year round, stuck between a choisya and a buddleia. But at the end of August, when his ears, composed of small panicles of tubular bells of flowers, form, we only see him, we only smell him! A scent of hyacinth. A wonder that I brush against each time I go out to the garden, making a systematic detour to touch it, smell it, and even get a small pinkish white flower. The buttons, as well as the calyces, sport a dapper old rose. These chalices are until November a charming asset, attractive even when the flowers have fallen. Because flowers have the good taste of falling, instead of withering ugly, when they have finished their life.

I don’t understand why this shrub is so little used. It measures about 2m high and has its place as well in the natural hedge as isolated or at the bottom of a massif. If I am to believe the gardening literature, it grows well in a large container, but I have not tried … Rustic down to -10, even -12 °, it is perfect for gardens located in the south and on the coast. , especially since it supports spray well. In my corner of Brittany, its cute heart-shaped leaves, thick, shiny, and nicely ribbed, turn matt and bronze at the end of autumn.

Easy to grow

This abelia loves the sun but tolerates partial shade. All soils are suitable for it, with a preference for those that are drained. Plant it in the spring or fall, mixing compost with the original soil. Water the summer following planting. It hardly needs pruning, except to possibly help it branch out in the first year and to remove dead wood or disturbing branches. It perfectly tolerates drought and is not very sensitive to diseases or parasites.