Genre Abelia brings together around thirty species of shrubs with a flexible habit as well as agricultural varieties. Abelias or Abelias belong to the family of Caprifoliaceae. Depending on the climate in which it is grown, a subject can be deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen because the temperatures have an impact on its foliage. This one is bright, variegated or a uniform green but its color varies from season to season. The height of these ornamental shrubs is between 1.50 and 4 m. Whether grown in the ground or in pots, they bring a decorative and subtly scented note in the garden or on the terrace thanks to their beautiful foliage and their abundant flowers. Let’s take a look at how to plant, care for, and prune these extremely easygoing shrubs.
Plant l’Abelia
The Abelia loves thesunshine and the heat but fears cold winds. It is therefore necessary to reserve an area of the garden that is well sheltered from the prevailing winds. A light and perfectly drained soil suits him perfectly.
Planting takes place preferably between February and May in harsh climates and between september and november in mild climates. But regardless of the region, you should always refrain from planting these shrubs when it is very hot or when it is freezing. Abelia is planted as follows.
- dig a generously sized hole about 45 cm deep and whose width is three times that of the mound.
- Place at the bottom of the hole:
- part of the earth extracted to form a mound on which the roots will rest,
- a good drainage layer (gravel for example).
- Prepare a mixture made up of equal parts of garden soil and of potting soil.
- Position the Abelia well in the center of the planting hole, ensuring that its collar is flush with the level of the ground.
- Cover with the earth/potting mix.
- Tamp the culture medium all around the foot.
- Water generously.
If one wishes plants un Abelia en bacit is essential to choose a large pot with a pierced bottom and place a drainage layer before the substrate.
Depending on their size, abelias can be used alone, as a ground cover, in beds or in hedges. Those in trays are perfect for greening a terrace, the surroundings of the swimming pool or even a sunny balcony.
Maintain abelias
These decorative shrubs are perfect for novice gardeners and people who have little free time to take care of their garden since they do not require any particular maintenance.
Water
It is necessary to water Abelia for two years after planting. The correct solution is to water generously every 15 days in spring and autumn, and every 3 to 6 days in summer depending on the temperatures of course, which is amply preferable to small amounts of water made daily.
For a subject grown in a pot, it is necessary to ensure that the substrate is always fresh but above all not soggy.
Fertiliser
The potted Abelia needs a fertilizer supply complete with slow release in the spring and then at the beginning of the fall.
Repot
We are thinking of repotting our Abelia every three years. This makes it possible to completely renew the substrate and, if necessary, to choose a pot or a tray a little larger than the previous one. We take advantage of this repotting session to check the good health of the roots.
Protect in winter
It is especially during the four or five winters following its planting that the Abelia needs a wintering veil and a thick mulch in order to be well protected from severe frosts. Subsequently, for the hardiest species that can withstand down to -10°C (and sometimes even down to -15°C but over a very short period), these precautions are no longer essential. This is for example the case for abelia x grandiflora or Abelia triflora. On the other hand, the most chilly species are only able to tolerate -1°C. It is therefore essential to continue to cover them with a wintering veil and to mulch, whatever the age of the subjects, at least in regions with very marked winters.
As for shrubs of this botanical genus grown in pots, they can be easily wintered in a cold greenhousehence the interest in opting for this type of crop outside the southern regions.
Pests and diseases
We can affirm that the abelias combine the qualities. In addition to being beautiful, fragrant and undemanding in care, they are not not affected by pest attacks et fear no disease. It is worth mentioning here that they are just as resistant to spray and even urban pollution, so they can be grown in any type of environment.
Prune the Abelia
This is in March that this type of shrub is pruned, and more particularly the subjects planted in hedges. An intervention every three years is sufficient for a cleaning size. It has several objectives, namely: to eliminate old wood, stunted, damaged or dead branches and those that intersect or are misplaced. The training tiller allows to preserve the balance of the port, to stimulate the production of flowers, to boost the growth of the shrub. Concerning the size of the old subjects, it consists of the reduction of a third of the old trunk.
In all cases, we avoid carrying out too severe pruning. Use a pruner or a hedge trimmer. The blades must be very sharp and we think of disinfecting them before the size as well as after.
Flowering of the Abelia
L’Abelia flourished from June and the flowering continues until the first fall frosts. Throughout this period, the flowers are renewed without interruption. The shrub is covered with a profusion of small fragrant flowers, white, salmon yellow or pink colorbell-shaped.
It is a real pleasure to see these shrubs in such bloom and it is also an olfactory delight because their flowers give off a honeysuckle smell, the latter belonging to the same botanical family as the Abelias. By cultivating several species of abelia and placing them judiciously, in the garden or on the terrace, you can enjoy their scent wherever you sit to relax during a contemplative break.
As soon as they fade, the flowers of these shrubs fall naturally without the need for intervention. But the chalices remain in place. These are all colorful notes that persist into autumn, so Abelias are still very attractive long after deflowering.