glossy abelia
Abelia grandiflora
Overview
The Glossy Abelia is an amazing ornamental shrub, ideal for adding beauty and structure to your garden. With glossy, deep-green oval leaves, it is fast-growing and has showy, fragrant flowers in shades of pink from late spring to mid-summer. Its tough, durable and drought tolerant evergreen foliage provides a colourful backdrop for beds and borders all year round. The blooms also attract bees and other beneficial pollinators. Growing between 3-6 feet tall and wide, it makes an ideal low-maintenance addition to any landscape. This easy-care and versatile shrub also makes a stunning addition to containers and a beautiful border or hedge.
Care Guide
Watering
Water your glossy abelia plant deeply approximately once per week during the growing season (late spring through early fall). In the summer months, the plant may need more frequent watering if the soil seems dry. If the top 2-3 inches of soil feels dry, then it's time to give your plant a drink. Abelia grandiflora does not tolerate wet feet or waterlogged soil, so be sure to never over water. In the winter, you can reduce the watering frequency to 1-2 times per month.
Light
Glossy abelia (Abelia grandiflora) grows best in full sun to partial shade. It should receive 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth, with the ideal time of day being early morning sun. In warmer climates, full sun is recommended, while in colder climates, partial shade is recommended. For optimal growth, it should receive sunlight from late morning until early afternoon, with no direct sunlight in the late afternoon.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 5-9.
Pruning
Glossy Abelia (Abelia grandiflora) is a fast-growing shrub with small glossy foliage. Pruning should be done at least once a year to encourage thick, bushy growth and to help promote more blooms. Prune in the spring, just after the last frost, and before the plant begins to put on new growth. Prune the stems back by about 1-third their length to keep the shrub's shape neat and small. Cut away any dead or damaged branches. In addition, prune out any spindly growth to help produce more blooms. Finally, thin out the center branches to encourage air flow throughout the shrub and give it a more attractive shape.
Propagation
Cutting, Layering Propagation, Grafting Propagation, Division, Seed Propagation
Related plants
Other plants you might like if you grow glossy abelia.
