Sunshine Daydream Abelia Abelia × grandiflora Sunshine Daydream = 'Abelops' (PBR) (v)
![abelia [Sunshine Daydream]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b61a1e9cdd.png&w=3840&q=75)
ABOUT
The Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' is an ornamental shrub with a variegated foliage that adds striking colors to the landscape. The leaves on this plant feature a kaleidoscope of colors; they emerge with a lovely pink tinge and then develop into a combination of yellow, green, and creamy white as they mature, showcasing a mosaic of these hues across the entire shrub. This coloration creates an eye-catching effect that is particularly vibrant when set against the backdrop of darker green plants. Throughout the summer months, the 'Sunshine Daydream' boasts an abundance of bell-shaped flowers that provide a beautiful contrast with the foliage. These flowers are typically a soft, pale pink color with a subtle fragrance, attracting pollinators to the garden. After blooming, the flowers give way to even more interest, as they can form seed heads that offer additional visual appeal. As the seasons change, so does the foliage of the 'Sunshine Daydream'. In the fall, the leaves transform to display shades of copper and bronze, adding warm autumnal tones to the plant's palette. This dynamic change ensures that the shrub remains visually interesting throughout the year. Overall, the Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' is characterized by its changing, variegated leaves, delicate summertime flowers, and the seasonal shift in color that brings a continuous display of beauty to the garden.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Glossy Abelia, Sunshine Daydream Abelia
Common names
Abelia × grandiflora 'Abelops'
ToxicityTo humans
The Glossy Abelia is not commonly known to be toxic to humans. Most members of the Abelia genus, including the Glossy Abelia, are considered non-toxic and safe when it comes to human interaction. Therefore, ingestion of the leaves or flowers is not expected to cause poisoning or produce harmful symptoms.
To pets
The Glossy Abelia is also not known to be toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. It is generally considered safe for domestic animals, and ingestion of the leaves or flowers should not result in toxic effects or symptoms of poisoning.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
Pink
Height
3-4 feet (0.91-1.22 meters)
Spread
3-5 feet (0.91-1.52 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: 'Abelops' is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, aiding in pollination.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and upkeep once established.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, 'Abelops' has good resistance to drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Year-Round Interest: With its variegated leaves that change color throughout the seasons and pink-tinged flowers, 'Abelops' offers visual interest throughout the year.
- Versatile Landscaping: It can be used in various landscape designs, including borders, foundations, and as a low hedge.
- Compact Growth Habit: With its moderate and compact growth, 'Abelops' is well-suited for small gardens or spaces.
- Frost Hardy: It is resistant to frost, making it suitable for planting in colder climates.
- Deer Resistant: 'Abelops' is less likely to be eaten by deer compared to other plants, making it a good choice for gardens in areas with deer populations.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' can be used as a natural border or hedge due to its dense foliage, creating privacy or marking property lines in a garden setting.
- This plant can be integrated into a sensory garden to provide a variety of textures and colors for a full sensory experience.
- Due to its attractive foliage, Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' can be used in dried flower arrangements for a lasting decoration.
- The Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' can serve as a backdrop for garden photography, enhancing the beauty of other garden features with its variegated foliage.
- Employ Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' in thematic gardens, such as a bees' garden due to its attraction of pollinators.
- The shrub can be used in urban gardens to add a splash of color and resilience in areas with limited green space.
- Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' can be part of a living fence combined with other shrubs to increase biodiversity and pest resistance.
- As a potted plant, it can decorate balconies or patios, especially for those living in apartments with limited outdoor space.
- The plant can be used in educational settings such as schools to teach children about plant growth and gardening.
- Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' can be shaped into topiary forms for an artistic garden feature, requiring regular pruning and training.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Glossy Abelia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Glossy Abelia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Optimism: The 'Sunshine Daydream' in the cultivar's name evokes a sense of positivity and brightness, symbolizing a hopeful and optimistic outlook on life.
- Transformation: The 'Daydream' aspect implies a transformation from the ordinary to the extraordinary, representing the potential for change and growth.
- Joy: Abelia flowers are known for their pleasant appearance, and their bright, cheerful colors can symbolize happiness and contentment.
- Versatility: As a plant with a long blooming season and adaptability to various growing conditions, it can symbolize flexibility and an ability to thrive in different environments.
- Harmony: The even distribution of colors and the balance between the foliage and blooms can represent harmony and balance in life.
WaterThe Glossy Abelia should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry out between watering sessions. This plant prefers consistently moist but not waterlogged soil. During hot and dry spells, it may require more frequent watering, such as twice a week, especially if planted in well-draining soil or in containers. You should provide about 1 gallon of water per plant for each watering session. Decrease watering during the fall and winter months when the plant is not actively growing.
LightGlossy Abelia thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal location for this Abelia is a spot where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, but it can also tolerate some shade, especially in the hotter parts of the day. Avoid deep shade as it can lead to reduced flowering and leggy growth.
TemperatureGlossy Abelia is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures. It performs best in areas where the average temperature is between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum winter temperatures down to about 5 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for USDA hardiness zones 6-9.
PruningPrune Glossy Abelia in late winter or early spring before new growth appears to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth. It's also a good practice to remove dead or damaged branches at this time to promote the overall health of the plant. Pruning can be done once a year, but light trimming can be performed throughout the growing season if necessary to keep the desired form.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGlossy Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' prefers well-drained soil with high organic matter. A mix of garden soil, compost, and peat or pine bark will create an ideal growing medium. This plant thrives in a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
RepottingGlossy Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' does not need frequent repotting; every 2-3 years is sufficient. When it outgrows its current pot or the soil is exhausted, it should be repotted.
Humidity & MistingGlossy Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' is adaptable but prefers an average humidity level. It does well outdoor in ambient humidity, without the need for specific humidity control measures.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, well-draining pot and room to grow.
Outdoor
Plant in sun to part-shade; mulch and water regularly.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
Life cycleAbelia × grandiflora 'Sunshine Daydream' begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in spring under the right conditions of warmth and moisture. Seedlings emerge and develop into young plants with characteristic glossy leaves, gradually maturing during the growing season. As it enters adulthood, Sunshine Daydream produces clusters of lightly fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers throughout the summer, attracting pollinators. Following the flowering stage, the plant may form small, inconspicuous seed capsules if pollination occurs. In the fall, the foliage may take on bronze hues, contributing to the seasonal landscape before entering dormancy in winter. This cycle repeats yearly, with the plant increasing in size and spread through branching and potentially rooting from stems that touch the ground.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagating Abelia × grandiflora 'Sunshine Daydream' is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This typically takes place in late summer when the new growth has begun to mature and harden slightly. To propagate, a gardener would select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 4 to 6-inch (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) length, making the cut just below a leaf node. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that several leaf nodes are below the soil surface. The pot should be placed in a warm area with indirect light and kept consistently moist but not waterlogged until roots have developed, which can take several weeks. Once the cutting has established a strong root system, it can be transplanted to its final location in the garden.
