Abelia

Plants on Your Plate – Zucchini

shrub for any garden style

Gardeners always seem to be on the lookout for a unique plant to put in their landscapes. Perhaps we are drawn to new and exciting varieties, or we may just want to make sure to have something in our gardens that the neighbors don’t have yet! Frequently considered a southern plant, Abelia are graceful and lowmaintenance shrubs that are making their way into our gardens in the Midwest as new varieties are released from growers nationwide.

Abelia are prized by landscapers and gardeners for their dense, yet graceful structure. Their glossy foliage set against often red or dark stems add texture to landscapes, while the fall color adds a stunning, vibrant look that persists through the early winter months. As a semievergreen, gardeners can expect to see different varieties hold their foliage until the new year, with some varieties retaining foliage late into winter. Don’t be surprised if the foliage drops when temperatures approach lower teens for multiple days at a time. Many growers describe Abelia as a “deer resistant” plant (note that there is no such thing as “deer-proof”).

The number of Abelia varieties hitting the markets makes it a versatile plant for different landscape applications. Smaller varieties lend themselves to be great specimens in butterfly gardens or showy mass plantings, while larger varieties make great focal points. Many gardeners are choosing to plant dwarf Abelia, like ‘Kaleidoscope’ and ‘Funshine’ as a substitute for Spirea, as they have similar habits. Many growers advertise that they are “great for containers,” but this is not recommended in this zone unless you are prepared to treat it like an annual.

A sun lover, Abelia prefers six or more hours of direct sun per day. Some varieties reportedly tolerate more shade, but be prepared for them to be less vivid in color and leggier in habit. As a low maintenance plant, it requires little pruning; too much will cause it to lose

its attractive shape. If temperatures are harsh during the winter, dieback to the ground may occur, but most varieties recover well when pruned and even bloom during the same season. These are not heavy feeders, however, in his book Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Michael Dirr recommends a late winter fertilizer in early March, and another application in June to promote healthy foliage and blooms. Use a general, balanced shrub fertilizer. Watering too little during the summer heat can stress the plant. Make sure to water deeply during extended periods of high temperatures, and don’t rely on lawn sprinklers to get the job done.

‘Canyon Creek’ has a medium to large habit, maxxing out at 5 feet tall and wide with a free-flowering bloom all summer. Keep this one

well-watered during the hot summer months to help maintain good foliage color.

‘Funshine’ by Proven Winners gives a great season-long show. New growth emerges in an orange/ copper shade which pops against the bright green mature foliage on a 3’ x 3’ bush. This makes a great substitute for ‘Goldmound’ and ‘Goldflame’ Spirea.

‘Kaleidoscope’ is the most popular Abelia in the industry, sought after by gardeners and landscapers for its stunning foliage and long bloom time. Gold-yellow variegation pops against red stems on a compact plant that reaches a max of 3 feet tall and wide. ‘Kaleidoscope’ is a sport of ‘Little Richard’ and retains many of the same qualities as its parent, including a high tolerance for sun and heat.

‘Little Richard’ blooms very heavily and freely throughout the summer and has a dense growth habit at 3’ x 3’. Very heat tolerant.

‘Radiance’ is a great choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of silvery-white variegation to their landscape. This variety is a midsize at 3’ tall and up to 5’ wide, and has a later bloom time than most others.

‘Sweet Emotion’ is one of the taller varieties available in retail with an average size of 6’ tall and wide. This variety tolerates colder temperatures than most others.

Sweet Emotion

SEAN HOLLAND Perennials Manager

Sean Holland is Perennials Manager at Suburban Lawn & Garden, 135th and Wornall location, in Kansas City, Missouri. You may reach him at seanh@suburbanlg.com.