Sweet abelia is a Korean native shrub with pink buds opening to tubular white blooms in late spring or early summer. The flowers are tubular, with five flaring petals that start with red buds that open to white. It is prized for its fragrance and may be used as a hedge. Glossy opposite leaves and loose arching stems make it an attractive addition to the garden. It has a nice, tidy mounding habit and will reach about 4 feet in height. This species is more winter hardy than other abelias and that's a good thing because it blooms on old wood.