Abelia is a very long lived shrub. It is a good plant for backyard birds and can be used in a bird-friendly garden. This Abelia can be used as a border, to attract and feed bees who feed on the nectar and gather pollen, and can be used as a plant shelter for birds or as a bird nesting plant. Butterflies also feed on the nectar.
Abelia x grandiflora ‘Edward Goucher’ is an evergreen shrub, is a bit shorter than Abelia x grandiflora, but otherwise similar in hardiness and habit. Once established it will thrive with very little maintenance. It responds well to trimming and can be grown to retain an arching branch form or trimmed more severely. Left on its on it creates a semi-open form - more open than a confer while denser than most perennials. The relative openness of the form is what makes it both a good privacy screen and good nesting and shelter habitat. It can be used as an accent plant or as a privacy border. Occasional trimming will help maintain its use as a privacy border.
Edward Goucher is hardy in Zone 7, Zone 8, and Zone 9.