Abelia chinensis, commonly known as Chinese Abelia, is a deciduous or semi-deciduous shrub native to thickets and forest margins in southeast Asia including China and Taiwan. It typically grows to a height of 1-1.5 meters with a similar spread, and features reddish stems and glossy, ovate to lanceolate leaves that transition to a reddish-brown hue before falling in autumn. The plant is noted for its cold hardiness within the Abelia genus. Its flowers are small, funnel-shaped, and white, blooming in late spring to early summer, with persistent pink sepals that add interest after the petals fall. The cultivar ’China Rose’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its outstanding qualities.

Chinese Abelia is valued for its extended flowering period, low maintenance, and adaptability to a range of garden settings. It is often used in mixed borders, as a foundation plant, and in mass plantings for ground cover. This shrub thrives in full sun to part shade, prefers medium water, and is adaptable to various soil types with good drainage. While generally pest and disease resistant, it can occasionally suffer from aphids or leaf spot. Pruning is recommended after flowering to maintain shape and promote vigorous growth.CC BY-SA 4.0