Abelia (Abelia 'Rose Creek')
Discover the compact Abelia 'Rose Creek', a low-maintenance shrub offering fragrant white flowers from May through September.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Abelia ‘Rose Creek’ is a tremendously valuable addition to modern landscapes, celebrated for its dense, compact form and exceptionally long blooming period. This hybrid offers glossy, dark green foliage contrasting beautifully with small, yet abundant, tubular white flowers that perfume the garden from late spring well into autumn. It is valued for its low maintenance needs and adaptability across a wide range of conditions.
As a deciduous shrub, this specific cultivar of Abelia maintains an attractive structure even when not in full leaf, especially in warmer regions where it remains reliably evergreen. Gardeners appreciate the resilience and attractive twigging provided by Abelia ‘Rose Creek’, making it a reliable choice for texture and seasonal interest.
While performing best in full sun for maximum flowering impact, Abelia ‘Rose Creek’ tolerates part shade, although its density may be slightly reduced. Its compact size—typically maturing around 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide—makes it exceptionally versatile for borders, foundations, and mass plantings.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Caprifoliaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 3-4 ft
- Bloom Time: May to September
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Abelia ‘Rose Creek’ succeeds best in average, medium, well-drained soil. For optimal performance and the best display of blooms, ensure the location receives full sun, though it will tolerate part shade. Ensure the soil drains well, as this shrub prefers moist, organically rich conditions but suffers if kept waterlogged.
Watering should be consistent, aiming for medium moisture, especially during establishment. This plant is generally low maintenance once established. Pruning is best performed in late winter or early spring, as Abelia ‘Rose Creek’ blooms reliably on new wood. Prune sparingly by thinning out up to one-third of the oldest stems or removing any wood damaged by winter cold.
Be aware of cold tolerance, particularly in the northern edges of its range (Zone 6). In areas where temperatures approach 0°F, significant die-back or complete deciduous behavior can occur. In these colder zones, siting Abelia is crucial; choose a protected location to minimize winter damage and help the shrub retain its semi-evergreen character.
Landscape Uses
The compact stature of Abelia ‘Rose Creek’ makes it an excellent structural element in the garden. It functions beautifully as an informal hedge, lending softness to property lines without demanding constant shearing. Because these plants naturally lose their graceful shape if formally sheared, they are best used where their mounded habit can shine.
This dependable shrub is highly recommended for consistent borders along walkways or flanking foundational plantings near the home. Its neat size also accommodates mixed borders where it won’t quickly overwhelm neighboring perennials or smaller shrubs. Furthermore, Abelia ‘Rose Creek’ works well for mass plantings, particularly on slopes or banks where its root structure can assist with erosion control.
For gardeners with limited space, its tidy proportions make it an effective specimen plant or a superb filler in large patio containers, providing reliable foliage and flowers throughout the season.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Abelia is a genus of about 30 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs in the honeysuckle family from the Himalayas to East Asia and in Mexico. They are long flowering with small but showy flowers.Genus name honors Dr. Clark Abel (1789-1826), English naturalist and physician.‘Rose Creek’ is a compact, dense, low-mounded hybrid featuring red stems clad with glossy button-like leaves which emerge with pink tinting in spring before turning an attractive dark green. This shrub typically matures to 2-3’ tall and to 3-4’ wide. It is evergreen in USDA Zones 7-9 where leaves turn interesting shades of soft purple-green in winter. In St. Louis (Zone 6A), this shrub is semi-evergreen to deciduous depending upon the severity of the winter temperatures. Tubular, fragrant, white flowers (to 1/2” long) subtended by rosy sepals bloom in late spring to early summer, with some continued bloom occurring throughout summer into fall. ‘Rose Creek’ (originally known as seedling #12) was one of 32 open pollinated Abelia seedlings (A. Chinensis was the maternal parent) produced, examined and evaluated at the Center for Applied Nursery Research, Dearing, Georgia, in an Abelia chinensis study commenced in 1997. Seedling #12 was subsequently named ‘Rose Creek’ in reference to a creek of the same name located in Oconee County, Georgia. ‘Rose Creek’ was the most compact of the 32 plants chosen for evaluation
Tolerances
- Erosion
Potential Problems
This Abelia cultivar generally exhibits good resistance, with no serious insect or disease problems commonly noted by growers. The primary concern involves winter hardiness, especially for those gardening near the marginal Zone 6 boundary. In consistently cold winters, stems may suffer die-back, sometimes down to the ground.
To mitigate winter damage on Abelia ‘Rose Creek’, select planting spots carefully, favoring areas sheltered from harsh winter winds or next to warmer structures. If stems do die back, prune them out completely in early spring, as the shrub readily flowers on the new growth it produces that season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Abelia ‘Rose Creek’ suitable for?
Abelia ‘Rose Creek’ thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9, offering reliable year-round interest in the warmer zones.
How large does Abelia grow?
This compact shrub typically reaches a mature height between 2 and 3 feet tall, spreading to 3 or 4 feet wide.
When does Abelia ‘Rose Creek’ bloom?
You can expect white, fragrant flowers on Abelia ‘Rose Creek’ continuously from May all the way through September.
What sun exposure does Abelia need?
For the most prolific flowering, place Abelia ‘Rose Creek’ where it receives full sun, although it will adapt to locations receiving part shade.
Conclusion
The lasting color, delicate fragrance, and minimal upkeep define the appeal of Abelia ‘Rose Creek’. Its robust performance from spring to fall makes it an essential element for reliable, textured plantings. Before adding this fantastic Abelia cultivar to your property, confirm that your hardiness zone falls between 6 and 9 and plan your late winter pruning schedule.
Companion Planting
When designing a border featuring Abelia ‘Rose Creek’, select companions that share similar needs for well-drained soil and comparable light exposure. Low-growing ornamental grasses provide excellent contrast to the shrub’s dense, glossy foliage, adding movement near the base. Consider pairing it with late-season bloomers like Sedum or Rudbeckia, which will take over the floral display as the Abelia begins to slow down in the autumn.
For foundational plantings, evergreen dwarf conifers or low-mounding evergreens work well as winter anchors that complement the semi-evergreen nature of the Abelia in cooler climates. Ensure the companion plants do not require rich, heavy soil, favoring mixes that prefer good drainage compatible with the Abelia.
Design Ideas
In contemporary landscaping, use Abelia ‘Rose Creek’ to create repeating geometric patterns along gently curving paths. Its neat, mounding habit prevents it from becoming overgrown, allowing clear sightlines through the garden bed. Utilize its capacity for erosion control by planting it liberally on slight inclines or banks where you desire year-round cover and spring flowering.
For an entryway planting, flank a doorway with matching containers overflowing with Abelia ‘Rose Creek’. Its ability to handle sun while providing subtle texture makes it superior to many less resilient foundation shrubs. This plant truly shines when used in groupings of three or more, allowing the collective masses of glossy leaves to create a solid screen of green interest.
