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
Zabelia tyaihyonii, 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 Abelia mosanensis.
Genus name honors Hermann Zabel (1832-1912), German botanist who specialized in the study of woody plants.
The specific epithet tyaihyonii honors Tae-Hyun Chung (1882-1971), Korean botanist who published the first illustrated flora of Korea.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
Uses
Specimen, border, foundation or hedge.