Abelia x grandiflora 'Rose Creek' (Abelia)

Abelia x 'Rose Creek' is a showy hybrid Abelia cultivar originating from an open pollinated specimen of Abelia chinensis; originally bred by Michael Dirr and company at the University of Georgia, the cultivar is named for Rose Creek, a creek near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. This cultivar, like other Abelia cultivars, is a small, evergreen shrub that produces striking, glossy leaves. Growing to only 2-3' tall and wide, 'Rose Creek' stands out from the crowd with its bright, pink-tinted new-growth and small, fragrant white flowers in the spring, which are attractive to butterflies and bees. The 'Rose Creek' cultivar's evergreen foliage persists through the winter, occasionally taking on purple tones to add to the multi-season appeal. Though not a native species in North American gardens, Abelia x 'Rose Creek' performs well in Maryland climates, and provides food to early season pollinators with no or very few invasive properties.

'Rose Creek' abelia's dwarf habit makes this small shrub equally suited for use in container plantings, foundation cover-ups, or on slopes for erosion control, and its showy evergreen foliage makes it a stunning addition to any landscape through any season. Abelia x 'Rose Creek' grows best in medium-moist, well-drained soils, and tolerates a variety of soil conditions, including drought, and its showy evergreen foliage is tolerant of cold, as well as deer and rabbit browsing.