Abelia SUNTASTIC® Peach

‘Peach’ Suntastic™ is a compact abelia with variegated foliage that shifts from green with cream-yellow margins to vivid orange and apricot as it matures and the weather cools. Its dense, rounded mound stays manageable in small borders and containers, while small white flowers extend the display from early summer into fall. ## Landscape character Expect a mature plant about 2–3 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide. Its branches form a dense, slightly spreading mound, making it useful as a bright foliage accent in a mixed border, a foundation planting, a large patio container, or a low informal hedge. Allow room for its width rather than packing it into a narrow spot. Small, funnel-shaped white flowers appear from early summer into fall. The plant patent describes them as unscented and self-cleaning. New or shaded leaves have green centers with cream-yellow margins; mature foliage in sun develops darker centers and orange margins. PlantHaven reports that warm apricot tones become strongest in cool weather. ## Growing conditions Grow in USDA Zones 6–10. Full sun encourages the strongest foliage color; part shade is suitable in hotter climates. Provide well-drained soil and moderate moisture. Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance, but it is not a no-water shrub. The plant patent describes it as evergreen in Zones 7 and warmer and semi-deciduous in Zone 6, so winter leaf retention depends on local cold. It is bred for heat and humidity tolerance, making it useful where many colorful shrubs struggle through hot summers. ## Breeder, brand, and patent The cultivar denomination is ‘Rhabpe22’; ‘Peach’ is its trade name in the Suntastic™ collection. U.S. Plant Patent **PP34,885**, issued January 3, 2023, names Robert Harrison of Tynong, Australia, as inventor. PlantHaven International represents the variety in the North American trade. See the [patent record](https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/32/8e/8e/e38db532cbd701/USPP34885.pdf), the [Sunset Plant Collection profile](https://sunsetplantcollection.com/the-collection/plant/abelia-suntastic-peach/), and [PlantHaven International](https://direct.planthaven.com/). ## Maintenance Low maintenance once established. Plant in well-drained soil, water regularly while roots establish, then irrigate during prolonged dry spells. Shape lightly in early spring before new growth if needed; it does not need frequent clipping to remain compact. Because the flowers are self-cleaning, routine deadheading is unnecessary. Sunset recommends little or no fertilizer, with an optional controlled-release application in spring.