Fuchsias, if you have the climate.

Where in zone 7 are you?

Here are just a few possibilities and you'll have to research whether they work in your climate or are of interest to you.

Since abelias are mostly green (with addition of white or pink when flowering), you might want something with contrasting foliage such as:

Variegated lirope
Boxleaf euonymous (variegated) kept low or 'Butterscotch'
Euonymus 'Emerald Gaiety' or similar
Hypericum calycinum (St Johnswort)
Heather/Heath
Ajuga (deep maroon form?)
Any of the perrenial sages such as Salvia nemorosa 'Marcus' (lower grower)
Nandina 'Firepower'
Azalea 'Silversword'
I also like Azalea 'Chinzan' as it's a low grower and stays in a compact and neat evergreen mound.

or just fill in with annuals for the summer.