Culture
Easily grown in average, moist, acidic, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Blooms on old wood, so prune as needed immediately after flowering. This deciduous abelia has much better winter hardiness (to USDA Zone 4) than most other abelias. It does not perform well in the heat and humidity of the deep South in USDA Zones 7-9.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Abelia mosanensis , commonly known as fragrant abelia or Korean abelia, is a rounded, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub with loose upright-arching stems that typically grows to 4-6' tall and as wide. It is native to Korea. Pink buds open to extremely fragrant, tubular, pinkish-white flowers which bloom in spring. Flowers are attractive to butterflies. Glossy green foliage turns orange-red in fall. Synonymous with Zabelia tyaihyonii.
Genus name honors Dr. Clark Abel (1789-1826), English naturalist and physician.
'SMNAMDS' is a cold-hardy selection of fragrant abelia that features red-pink and white bicolor flowers and a densely branched, upright to rounded growth habit. Mature plants can reach 5-6' tall with a similar spread. The highly fragrant, 0.5" wide, tubular flowers bloom in rounded, terminal panicles from late spring into early summer. The leafy, persistent sepals and foliage turn shades of orange and red in the fall. Commonly sold at nurseries and garden centers under the name SWEET EMOTION. This plant is protected by patent number PP27370.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
Uses
Specimen, border, foundation or hedge.