R25.00

GLOSSY ABELIA

Abelia
Abelia grandiflora
Country of origin: Eastern Asia and Mexico.

Category:

Description

Description: Height, spread, bloom
It is a rounded, spreading, multi-stemmed shrub in the honeysuckle family. It features clusters of white-tinged-pink, bell-shaped fragrant flowers almost 2 cm long which appear in the upper leaf axils and stem ends. The shiny bright green leaves are oval/elliptical. It reaches a height of 90 to 180 cm and becomes as wide. It may be evergreen in prime conditions.

Propagation
It is easy to propagate through stem cuttings. Take these cuttings from healthy plants only, preferably from the plant’s upper portion. Try to get the cuttings during the early morning hours as they will contain more moisture, making them less stress-resistant. The cuttings should be at least 10-15 cm in length and free of any flower buds. Strip any leaves from the lower end of the cutting before planting. Treat the cuttings with a rooting hormone before placing 1/3 to 1/2 of the stripped stem into a medium such as sand, a mixture of peat and perlite or a mixture of sand and perlite. It is best to place the cuttings in a shady area, avoiding direct sun until roots have formed. Keep moist and allow at least 4 to 6 weeks for roots to form.

Season for planting
Mid–spring

Requirements: location, soil, light, water, frost, warnings
It is easily grown in moist, organically rich soils which drain well in full sun to part shade. It flowers best in full sun.

Blooming season
It has a long blooming season from late winter, through early spring to autumn.

Diseases and other problems
It is not prone to serious insect or disease problems, but it may die back in a severe winter.

Maintenance
It blooms on new wood, so it is advisable to remove stems lost to winter and, if desired, thin to the ground up to 1/3 of old stems in late winter to early spring.Apply a slow-release fertilizer formulated for woody plants in early spring. Mulch around the root zone with organic matter to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Watering:
Though drought and heat-tolerant once established, it performs best with regular watering. Irrigate once or twice a week during summer

Benefits for bees.It has a very long blooming season of nectar and pollen-rich flowers.