• Abelia shrubs are highly attractive to butterflies.Monica Stevenson Photography/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
  
  Glossy abelia (Abelia --- grandiflora) is a hybrid shrub that is cultivated primarily for its clusters of heavily fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers. Gardeners interested in cultivating the plant have a host of varieties to choose from, including numerous variegated cultivars as well as the shrub's original parent species, the Chinese abelia (Abelia chinensis).
  
  

'Confetti'

• 'Confetti' (Abelia --- grandiflora 'Confetti') is a glossy abelia shrub that grows to be about 3 feet tall, with a similar spread. The shrub offers variegated leaves, which are green with irregular stripes of pink and creamy white. The plant's tubular pink flowers appear in late summer or early fall and continue through autumn. For best results, plant 'Confetti' in a full sun or partial sun location in USDA zones 6 to 9, taking care to use a fertile, well draining soil. Keep an eye out for common abelia problems, such as leaf spots and powdery mildew.
  
  

'Kaleidoscope'

• Offering changing seasonal color, 'Kaleidoscope' (Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope') is a colorful variegated variety that has a dense, compact habit. The plant grows to be about 2 feet tall, with a spread of about 4 feet. 'Kaleidoscope' produces green and yellow leaves that gradually change to display shades of orange, gold and red. The funnel-shaped flowers are white. Grow the shrub in a bright, sunny location in moist, acidic and well draining soil. Once established, the shrub is moderately drought-tolerant and requires infrequent, deep watering. The shrub is hardy to USDA zone 6 and will keep its colorful leaves through the winter in USDA zone 7 and above.
  
  

Chinese Abelia

• Chinese abelia (Abelia chinensis) is a parent species to glossy abelia. A native of China, the deciduous shrub has a loose, informal habit, growing to a maximum height of 6 to 8 feet. The plant offers greenish maroon leaves, which provide an attractive backdrop to the shrub's midsummer blooming flowers. The white, bell-shaped flowers are exceptionally attractive to butterflies and will bring them to the garden in droves throughout the bloom period. Like other abelias, Chinese abelia prefers a bright, sunny location in USDA zones 7 to 9. Plant in a moist, slightly acidic soil, and prune back in early spring.