Abelia Grandiflora Nana

Dwarf Abelia / Glossy Dwarf Abelia

Botanical Name: Abelia × grandiflora ‘Nana’
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Origin: Hybrid — parent species from China and Japan
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

Abelia × grandiflora ‘Nana’ is a compact, evergreen shrub with a naturally rounded habit, making it perfect for small gardens and borders. Its glossy green foliage often develops bronze or reddish tints in cooler months, providing extra seasonal colour. From summer through autumn, it produces clusters of fragrant white to soft pink tubular flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Hardy, low-maintenance, and versatile, it’s ideal for edging, mass planting, or containers in temperate and Mediterranean gardens.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.8-1.2 m H x 1-1.5 m W
• Growth Rate: 20-30 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Glossy green, often with bronze or reddish tints in autumn/winter
• Flowers: Small, tubular, white to pale pink, fragrant, summer through autumn
  
• Seasonal Interest: Long flowering season + seasonal foliage colour
• Wildlife Value: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
• Tolerance: Drought-Tolerant, Coastal-Tolerant (not front-line salt spray), Frost Hardy, Wind-Tolerant (avoid exposed salt-laden gales), Heat-Tolerant, Clay-Tolerant (not waterlogged heavy clay)
• Planting Density: Shrub borders: 3 plants per metre (dense) or 1 per 1.2 m for border
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or clay loam
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8-12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10-14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry.
• Maintenance: Mulch in spring; prune after flowering or late winter; fertilise in early spring.
• Lifespan: 15-25 years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
• Soil pH: Neutral (tolerates slight alkalinity)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Low borders and edging for paths and garden beds
• Mass planting for a neat, ground-level effect
• Feature plant in small gardens and courtyards
• Excellent in containers or large pots for patios and entries

Why You Will Love It

Compact, tidy, and long-flowering, Abelia × grandiflora ‘Nana’ delivers year-round appeal in a small space. Its glossy foliage and fragrant summer blooms attract pollinators while requiring minimal care, making it a reliable, low-maintenance choice for modern gardens.