Abelia grandiflora.

That's just gorgeous, Spritz!

I tried growing one and for a time it hung in but then it just died out. It never did flower like this. Is it an acid loving plant?

No - I have neutral soil! However, I've just checked it in my RHS book, and it says there that it's borderline hardy. It didn't suffer in last winter's cold weather in my garden, however.

I've had mine for years and have found it very reliable. Flowers every year and the flowers have a lovely perfume.

Toto I agree the perfume is lovely, it got rather rampant have cut it down and going to keep it in check this time.

Mine sends out tall shoots, which I cut off right to the base, to keep its shape.

How big does it get?

I keep mine to about 3' tall, Mp. My book says it can get up to about 8 - 10', though. I haven't ever seen one as big as that, anywhere!

I need some height in my garden, but not TOO much (says she, buying giant lily seeds!!)

Mine did, thats why it is only 1 ft high now lol

LOL!

Mine is about 5-6ft tall and I cut it with shears like a hedge.

That's interesting - I just 'snip' bits off to keep it in shape!

I had this shrub in my other garden and it flowered twice in the year. When it finished flowering I took the shears to it and trimmed it like a hedge into a round ball shape.

They do make lovely hedges, trimmed once a year.