The JC Raulston Arboretum describes this shrub as attracting more butterflies than any other plant in the garden. In midsummer, large fragrant trusses of creamy-white flowers bend stems into graceful curves; butterflies nectar wildly. Grows 5-8' in full sun and well-drained soils. Although this is not a "new" plant, it is rarely seen in gardens, possibly because its cousin, Abelia x grandiflora, is considered more cold hardy. Prune in early spring; winter-hardiness is proven by the specimen growing happily at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.

Bloom color: pink
Bloom period: early-summer
Height: 5-8'
Spread: 4-5'
Zones: 6-9