Sweet Emotion Hardy abelia

Sweet Emotion® hardy abelia is a deciduous, upright-rounded shrub with pink buds that open to fragrant white flowers marked with pink in mid- to late spring. It grows about 5–6 feet tall and wide, with glossy green foliage that colors orange in fall; it is rated for USDA zones 4–8. ## Landscape role and seasonal display Plant it where spring fragrance can be enjoyed, such as a mixed border, informal hedge, or specimen position. Its dense rounded shape provides useful shrub structure outside the bloom season, while persistent seedheads and orange fall foliage extend interest after flowers fade. Allow room for a mature plant rather than shearing it into a narrow form. The breeder lists full sun to part sun and deer resistance; the current brand profile also lists rabbit resistance. ## Growing conditions Choose well-drained soil that stays evenly moist during establishment. Spring Meadow rates irrigation as average and advises letting the growing medium dry slightly between waterings. Sweet Emotion is unusually cold-hardy for an abelia, with a USDA range of zones 4–8. This cultivar is deciduous, unlike glossy abelias that retain leaves in mild climates. Flowers form on old wood, so pruning after bloom can remove the following year’s buds. ## Breeder, brand, and patent Timothy D. Wood bred ‘SMNAMDS’ at Spring Meadow Nursery. Proven Winners ColorChoice sells it as Sweet Emotion®. U.S. Plant Patent **PP27,370** was granted in 2016. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency records plant breeders’ rights certificate 5937 as surrendered in 2021; older listings show its history, not current Canadian protection. See the [Proven Winners cultivar profile](https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/abelia/sweet-emotion-hardy-abelia-abelia-mosanensis), [Spring Meadow grower sheet](https://springmeadownursery.com/files/resource_files/Abelia%20Sweet%20Emotion%20Professional%20Grower%20Sheet.pdf), [CFIA cultivar record](https://active.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pbrpov/cropreport/abe/app00009727e.shtml), and [U.S. patent record](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP27370P2/en). ## Maintenance Low maintenance once established. Water through the first growing season, then follow average moisture needs and avoid waterlogged ground. Prune to shape immediately after flowering; avoid trimming after mid-summer so next year’s flower buds can develop on old wood. Remove damaged or crossing branches as needed and let the shrub keep its rounded outline.