Abelia floribunda Decne. (Caprifoliaceae) Native of Mexico in the Veracruz, Puebla and Oaxaca districts at c.3300 m. Evergreen shrub to 2.5 m or to 6 m in cultivation. This striking, evergreen, scrambling shrub, which is one of the two Mexican species, can be trained against a wall or be allowed to hang down over a cliff. The rounded leaves are 4cm (1½in) long at most. The crimson or deep pink, tubular flowers, to 5.5cm (21⁄4 in) long, are produced from early to midsummer.
Cultivation Easily grown in any soil in a warm climate. Although tolerant of drought in summer, it needs some water in mid- to late summer to make long shoots for next year’s flowering. Prune as soon as flowering has finished.
Height to 3m (10ft). USZ 9–11, surviving -6.5°C (20°F) of overnight frost. Tolerant of summer drought.