Types of Abelia – Standard, Dwarf, Variegated

Choose abelia by size and foliage: a standard arching shrub, a compact selection for a small border, or a variegated-foliage plant for seasonal color.

Choose a standard, a dwarf, or a variegated-foliage abelia first

Size and leaf are the choice, not a different keep-alive. [1] A standard-size plant in a small space needs constant cutting to stay in bounds. A compact selection planted at the right scale grows without that fight. [2] The plants we list are glossy abelia, Little Richard, Edward Goucher, Kaleidoscope, Mardi Gras, Radiance, and Hopleys. [3] Sun and watering stay on How to Grow Abelia.

Browse by kind

Standard glossy abelia

glossy abelia is the arching species and is the common garden plant. It reaches about 3 to 8 feet and suits a border, screen, or hedge.

Compact and dwarf abelia

Little Richard stays under 3 feet and suits a small border or a container. Edward Goucher is a hybrid with lavender-pink flowers and a similar compact habit.

Variegated-foliage abelia

Kaleidoscope has foliage that shifts from gold to orange to red across the season. Mardi Gras adds cream and pink margins on the leaves. Radiance has silvery-green and white variegation with vivid red stems. Hopleys is a compact variegated form with yellow-edged leaves.

Edward Goucher is a hybrid between Abelia × grandiflora and Abelia schumannii, with lavender-pink flowers rather than white. [4] Hopleys is sometimes sold as Miss Lemon — the same variegated compact plant.

Match the size and foliage before you plant. A standard-size abelia in a small space needs constant cutting; a compact selection in the right scale grows without it.