Abelia x grandiflora Glossy Abelia

A fairly common semi-evergreen garden plant with arching stems, often grown in hedges. It is the hybrid between Abelia chinensis R. Br and Abelia unflora R. Br., which are native to China, Taiwan and Vietnam. The pale pink flowers, which are produced in attractive clusters in autumn, are a rich source of pollen and nectar for insects. The shoots bear glossy, leathery leaves which are obsurely toothed and somewhat oval in shape but drawn out into a pointed tip. It does not occur in naturalised populations in West Glamorgan but it can persist as a relic of cultivation.