Abelias are a whole genus of plants with 30 species. These are shrubs that have their origin in Mexico and Asia, with semi-evergreen foliage and a very decorative bright green. In this article we are going to focus on the plant Abelia grandiflora, the most used in gardening and green spaces for its easy care and its beautiful white flowers that contrast with the intense green of its leaves and the reddish tone of its stems.
So if you want to learn how to take care of Abelia grandiflora, join us in this Green Ecologist article where you will find a complete and practical care guide Abelia grandiflora.
Characteristics of the Abelia grandiflora
The Abelia x grandiflora it usually reaches heights of around 150 cm, although it can double this measure. It is a shrub of reddish stems, with lanceolate leaves of a beautiful green tone and serrated margin.
The flower of Abelia grandiflora It is tubular and flared and just over 1 cm long, with pinkish-white petals and a pleasant aroma. When the petals fall, after flowering, the calyx remains on the plant, giving the bush a red hue that is highly appreciated in decoration. Y when does the Abelia grandiflora? In the right environment, it maintains its bloom during all the warm months, from spring to fall, which is why it is so popular in gardening.
Location and climate for Abelia grandiflora
This plant needs a lots of sunlight, even of direct incidence. In fact, unless we live in an exceptionally warm climate, the abelia needs to be exposed to direct light for as many hours as possible. However, if the sun is particularly intense in our area, the plant will appreciate a semi-shady location.
The most important thing when it comes to abelia location is to keep it protected from drafts, which does not tolerate at all. Thus, in windy areas it will be necessary to plant the shrub sheltered from some other larger plant or a wall.
With regard to temperature, abelia tolerates hot and even very hot climates without problems, but it is not so with low temperatures, especially when the plant is young. This shrub does not tolerate frost until its stems have lignified, at which point it will withstand specific temperatures down to -10 ºC.
Watering the Abelia grandiflora
Another of the cares of the Abelia grandiflora More particular is irrigation since, despite regularly needing a certain level of humidity in its substrate, it can withstand occasional droughts. Thus a plant Abelia grandiflora It can bear small oversights in its watering as long as they are not given regularly.
In the warm months it is advisable to keep a few constant and regular waterings, always without flooding the plant, but providing deep watering. On the other hand, in the cold months it is due greatly reduce irrigation, biweekly or even more spaced. Also, take note that if you have the potted abelia, remove the excess water from the plate ten minutes after you have watered.
We recommend reading this other gardening guide on When to water your plants.
Substrate and compost for Abelia grandiflora
This is probably, along with light, the most important of abelia care. You need a soil with the best possible drainage and very rich in organic matter. Thus, it is necessary to find an area of the garden that drains the water without problems, but if the ground does not drain enough, sand will have to be added before planting the abelia.
In a pot, the universal mix made with equal parts peat, worm castings and coconut fiber works excellent, especially if we add some vermiculite and perlite.
Nor should you neglect the fertilization of this plant, very necessary for its health and flowering. Both in pot and in soil, it is necessary to apply organic fertilizer to the plant both at the beginning of spring and autumn, to enhance its flowering in the first case and to strengthen it before winter in the second.
Pruning of Abelia grandiflora
If you wonder how to prune the Abelia grandiflora, you are in luck because in this aspect the plant is not demanding. With practicing a maintenance pruning every 2 years it will be enough to keep it in good condition. It is enough to remove the branches and leaves in poor condition and take advantage, if you want, to control its growth and give it shape, especially in width, given its great growth in this regard.
Reproduction of Abelia grandiflora
The easiest method of carrying out the reproduction of the Abelia grandiflora at home it is through cuttings or by division of clumps. For reproduce abelias by cuttings, these should be done in summer, taking stalks of soft wood, while the bush division works best in spring. In both cases of abelia multiplication, it is recommended to move the cutting or the divided bush to a controlled or indoor area and transplant it to its new final location once it has rooted and properly grasped.
Pests and diseases of Abelia grandiflora
To finish commenting on the care of abelias, we will mention the important issue of pests and diseases. One of the best features of this shrub is that is exceptionally resistant to the most common pests and diseases, it is not usual for it to be affected.
At most, and only if the abelia is weak, it can occasionally be attacked by the aphid, but it is not usual is healthy and well nourished abelias. Here we show you some home remedies to eliminate aphids on plants.
Other species of Abelia
The grandiflora is the most common of the abelias, but not the only one. These are some other species of abelia:
- Abelia triflora
- Abelia Edward Goucher
- Abelia parvifolia
- Abelia engleriana
- Abelia chinensis
- Abelia floribunda
Now that you know how to care for Abelia grandiflora, you may want to discover more than 20 flowering shrubs with this other article, among them you will see abelia but you will also know many more.
If you want to read more articles similar to Abelia grandiflora: care, we recommend that you enter our category of Cultivation and care of plants.
