Photo taken of shrub May 13 in Pickens County SC near highway 11. Friends saw it in flower at an earlier date; one stated “pinkish” flowers, and the other said “whitish”. Not far from an old house site in dampish woods. Thanks!
Hi Joyce,
this looks like the commonly planted glossy abelia, Abelia x grandiflora. The ‘x’ means it is of hybrid origin. However, that plant does not have hairs on the sepals. Its close relative Kolkwitzia amabilis does have these hairs, so if I am seeing this correctly on your picture it is that plant commonly called beauty bush.
Sincerely,
Dr. Steven Hill, Botanist, SCNPS