The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Shrubs And Trees
The Smaller, Mostly Border Shrubs
ABELIA grandiflora is not top-hardy in our zone and must be treated for best results as a the-back shrub, even if, in mild winters, the branches may survive in part. If pruned back to near the base in the spring, it will develop abundant new growth to a length of about 4 feet, gracefully splashed out into a diffuse bush some 21/2 feet high or more, clothed with small, glossy, oval, pointed, deep-green leaves which, toward early autumn, take on rich bronze shadings and persist long into the winter completely bronzed.
The foliage alone would earn this little shrub its place in the home landscape, but there is the added attraction of small, white, pink-flushed and fragrant flowers, appearing continuously from mid-June until winter, in small panicles along the side-branches, followed by brownish fruiting parts which add a subtle decorative touch.
Few shrubs are effective for a longer period. Wherever a pleasing, low, diffuse mass of foliage is wanted, or an unobtrusive "filler" in foundation, or other groupings, this Abelia deserves serious consideration. It is one of the most useful and attractive of the small shrubs.
It thrives readily in any fair soil, in the open or in light overhead shade, where it may prove even somewhat more tophardy, although that is no advantage, since it is best used strictly as a the-back. Even if, in exceptionally severe winters, one may lose an occasional plant entirely, this little shrub is worth planting again. Though its principal use is that of a "filler" shrub, if may well be planted also by way of a low and informal small garden hedge. It is the only widely used Abelia in our climate. The variety or hybrid listed as Edouard Gauthier is a less robust, pink-flowered shrublet, not as generally useful as A. grandiflora. A. Englcriana and A. Schumannii with less glossy, less persistent leaves, are planted occasionally for garden interest, as may any of the species which will prove root-hardy. But they cannot compare for beauty of foliage, vigor or usefulness with A. grandiflora.
ACANTHOPANAX Sieboldianus(A. pentaphyllus or Aralia pentaphylla) is a good, coarse shrub with practically no floral value but nevertheless deserving of use, particularly in shaded situations where a large, wide-splashing shrub of rather graceful habit, with bright-green, five-fingered leaves may fill the bill.
It presents an acceptable appearance in winter, especially in its young stages, the light-gray, thorny branches gracefully arched out, often with the tips rooted in the soil and prepared to form a thicket.
A good second-rate shrub, capable of making a firm barrier hedge; and by no means unattractive as a border shrub if one will thin it out in the spring, removing most of the older darker-colored branches.
