If you want to know how to grow and care for abelia then you are at the right place. The Abelia genus includes about 30 species of both deciduous and evergreen shrubs known for their vibrant foliage and long bloom times. Since modern DNA testing revealed that some previously recognised members of the genus were significantly different, there has been much debate about the Abelia genus itself. Various horticultural experts recognise different nomenclature structures, either shrinking the Abelia genus or reclassifying these species as Linnea genus members.
There are several common identifiers for shrubs commonly known as abelia. These shrubs have pointed, oval-shaped leaves that are usually yellow or green with pink, orange, bronze, or burgundy highlights. Some are multicolored or variegated, and their colors change with the seasons. Their tubular flowers are typically white, pink, or yellow. Abelia shrubs, unlike many other flowering plants, have a long blooming season that lasts from spring to fall. Without further ado lets first know what exactly is an abelia plant.
Table of Contents
What Exactly Is an Abelia Plant?
Abelia plants are flowering shrubs native to eastern Asia and northern Mexico, with thin branches and oval-shaped, pointed dark green leaves. The colors of the foliage and flowers change with the seasons.
The tubular, fragrant flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Abelias are semi-evergreen plants that grow 3 to 6 feet tall and wide and have green foliage for most of the season. In warmer climates, the foliage may remain green throughout the year.
The genus and common name Abelias are named after Clarke Abel, a British naturalist who was the first to collect abelia specimens from China in 1817. The Abelia genus contains over 30 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and is related to the Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) plant.
The genus and common name Abelias are named after Clarke Abel, a British naturalist who was the first to collect abelia specimens from China in 1817. The Abelia genus contains over 30 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and is related to the Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) plant.
How To Plant Abelia In The Ground
Scroll down for container planting instructions and maintenance advice.
Step 1
Begin by digging a planting hole that is at least two to three times the width and depth of the root ball of your Abelia plant. On the other hand, the larger the hole gets the better it will became. Place the native soil removed from the planting hole around the hole’s perimeter, in a wheelbarrow, or on a tarp.
Step 2
Depending on the soil type, fertility, and porosity in the planting area, you may need to add a soil amendment to the native soil removed from the planting hole. When planting Abelia in dense clay or poor quality soils, thoroughly mix in some good organic matter such as sand, bagged top soil, and/or a good planting mix at a 25-50% ratio with the soil removed from the planting hole.
Mixing in some top soil, peat moss, and/or compost when planting in very sandy or quick-draining soil will help to retain moisture in the soil. There is no need to add a soil amendment when planting in average, well-drained moist soil.
Step 3
To get your Abelia out of the container it was growing in, cut the container away. After removing the plant from the container, gently loosen some feeder roots around the root ball’s surface.
Step 4
To allow for settling, place your Abelia shrub in the planting hole so that the top edge of the root ball is at or slightly above ground level. To achieve proper planting height, add some backfill soil mixture to the bottom of the hole if necessary.
Note: If the soil in the planting area is poorly drained (constantly soggy or wet), improve drainage or choose a plant species that is tolerant of wet soils.
Step 5
After placing your Abelia in the planting hole, use one hand to keep it straight and the other to start back-filling your soil mixture around the root ball, tamping as you go to remove air pockets. You can soak the soil once you have filled the hole halfway. Backfill until you reach the top edge of the root ball. Avoid putting soil on top of the root ball to avoid suffocating your plant.
Step 6
When planting your Abelia in a well-drained location away from a water source, you can use the leftover soil mixture to build a 2 to 3 inch high water-retaining berm around the outside perimeter of the planting hole. This basin will collect water from rainfall and irrigation, reducing the need for hand-watering. After a growing season or two, the berm can be removed.
Step 7
Next, thoroughly water the planting area, including the root ball, to a depth equal to the root ball’s height. Water your newly planted Abelia with a Root Stimulator solution to stimulate early root formation and stronger root development, reducing plant shock and promoting greener, more vigorous plants.
Step 8
Apply a 1 to 2″ layer of shredded or chipped wood mulch or pine straw around the planting area to conserve moisture and suppress weed growth. Use freshly chipped wood for mulch only after it has been cured in a pile for at least 6 months, preferably a year. Avoid piling or placing mulch directly against the base of your plant to avoid rotting the bark.
How to Make Abelia Bloom
Abelia shrubs are known for their tubular flowers that bloom in the spring and last until the fall. These tiny flowers are a couple of inches long and have four or five petals each. They are white, pink, or yellow in colour and attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. They have a pleasant scent.
These shrubs usually bloom without a hitch. Make sure the soil drains well and the plant gets plenty of sunlight to promote a healthy bloom. Pruning should be done lightly, as over-pruning can reduce flower production.
How to Make Abelia Bloom
Abelia shrubs are known for their tubular flowers that bloom in the spring and last until the fall. These tiny flowers are a couple of inches long and have four or five petals each. They are white, pink, or yellow in color and attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. They have a pleasant scent.
These shrubs usually bloom without a hitch. Make sure the soil drains well and the plant gets plenty of sunlight to promote a healthy bloom. Pruning should be done lightly, as over-pruning can reduce flower production.
How to Care for Abelia Plants: Complete Guide
Abelia plants are extremely easy to care for and require very little maintenance once established. Nonetheless, their colorful foliage and long period of blooming activity provide the gardener with an abundance of color and visual interest. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators are drawn to their colorful foliage, which changes color throughout the growing season. Powdery mildew, anthracnose, and aphids are the most common pests and diseases that affect these plants.
Plant these shrubs in early spring or early fall, when temperatures are mild. Select a location with plenty of sunlight and rich, well-draining soil. Plant the abelia in a hole twice as wide as the root structure, with the top of the root system slightly above ground.
1. Light
Abelia can be grown in full sun as well as partial shade. Planting them in full sun, on the other hand, will result in more vibrant foliage colors and a healthy bloom. Plants grown in areas with high summer temperatures will benefit from afternoon shade.
2. Soil
Although abelia plants thrive in fertile, well-drained, moist soil, they are adaptable to a variety of soil conditions. Before planting, amend the soil with compost because these plants thrive in soil rich in organic matter. For optimal growth, soil pH should be slightly acidic.
3. Water
Once established, these low-maintenance plants are drought tolerant. However, they thrive when watered on a regular basis. Water abelias once or twice a week to keep them vibrant and healthy, especially during the hotter summer months. Allow a few minutes for the soil to dry before watering again. Watering deeply and infrequently is preferable to watering lightly and frequently for abelias.
4. Humidity and temperature
Abelia plants can be grown in a variety of climates, ranging from USDA hardiness zone 4 to zone 11. The preferred growing zones are determined by the specific requirements of each variety.
5. Fertilizer
Abelia shrubs thrive in soil that is high in organic matter. Compost should be added once a year to provide needed nutrients and to aid in proper soil drainage. In addition, giving the plant a slow-release shrub fertilizer in early spring will give it the boost it needs for another year of growth.
Read More
Conclusion
This is the end of this post which is all about how to grow and care for abelia plants. I hope you get your answer. On the other hand, in this post we mentioned an easy and complete guide on how to grow and care for abelia plants.
FAQs
Q1. Is it true that abelia shrubs are evergreen?
This is determined by the type of shrub and the growing conditions. Some species of Abelia are evergreen, while others are deciduous. Abelia shrubs grown in colder climates lose their leaves during the winter months, whereas those grown in warmer climates retain their foliage all year.
Q2. How big are abelia shrubs?
Each variety has a different mature size. Sizes range from 2 to 10 feet tall and 2 to 8 feet wide, giving you a wide range of options to fit your specific landscape needs.
Q3. Is it necessary to prune abelia shrubs?
Abelia plants do not always require pruning, but they can benefit from it once a year in late winter or early spring. This helps to keep the plant neat and clean.