family: caprifoliaceae
genus: abelia
species: x grandiflora (chinensis x uniflora)
cultivar: 'Edward Goucher'
This plant is a souvenir from the trip to a koi show in the holland city, Arcen this year. As we were driving closer to the border of the netherlands, we noticed that gardens of private homes became more and more elaborately adorned with bouquets of flowers. Once in the netherlands, there were numerous green houses, plant nurseries and garden centres to be seen. The koi show itself was held in a park with nicely done gardens. We were so tempted that we decided to check out a garden centre after the show. It turned out, to our disappointment, that the one we went to didn't have quite the range of plants and gardening products we anticipated. Also, due to the summer heat that hit us there, the entire sales area was so unbearably hot. Some plants were even wilting. Nevertheless, I wanted to get at least one plant as a souvenir, in order not to go home empty handed. The one plant I brought home is an abelia with flowers that look a lot like those of a kolkwitzia amabilis, only smaller. Flowers are bell-shaped, pink with orange throat and are borne along the long, thin arching branches. While kolkwitzias only flower once a year, abelias flower throughout the entire summer and autumn. Flowers are mildly scented.
It's been suggested not to expose the plant to extreme coldness in the winter as branches could be damaged. Keeping it just above freezing will ensure their survival. Unlike kolkwitzias, abelias are evergreen shrubs. Therefore their water demand remains considerably high in the winter, due to the high transpiration rate, especially if subjected to strong wind. It would be wise to give the plant some kind of shelter from strong wind.
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