
Today, newer cultivars of spiraea shrubs have appeared, but these are generally dwarf varieties and less useful for use as hedging plants. The 2 most traditionally used garden hedging varieties are Spiraea arguta or Spiraea vanhoutti. It’s a good companion plant for abelia since it is deciduous and flowers profusely early in the year. Like the abelia, the spirea shrub is a hardy plant and requires minimal care. You can successfully integrate the spirea flowering shrub into your abelia hedge, and this will give an abundance of white flowers and fairly dense foliage. You can choose whether you want your hedge to be formal or casual in form, by adjusting the aggressiveness of your pruning accordingly. If kept trimmed on the sides, the abelia will produce a pretty, fragrant, evergreen hedge if it is planted in a sunny position. In just a few seasons, it will give you moderate height (around 4½ to 5 feet). If you are using Abelia grandiflora as a hedging plant, it grows relatively fast. Successful Companion Plants to Grow with Abelia For Hedging, Screening, or Division of Spaces Relatively few pests trouble the abelia, and if it does suffer from an aphid attack, this will only cause superficial damage.ĭeer are not naturally attracted to abelias unless there is an extreme and prolonged cold spell which leads them to seek out any potential food source. But if planted in well-drained soil, then the abelia shouldn’t suffer from such problems. If your abelia is planted in damp, heavy soil, then it might well suffer from a fungal disease such as mildew. If you prune too late, once the new growth has emerged, you will lose flowers. Pruning should therefore be carried out in the late winter or very early spring. Like all abelias, this variety blooms on new wood. The most commonly grown abelia shrub is A.grandiflora (glossy abelia). Pruning is not essential, but you may wish to thin the shrub to encourage new growth and to help it to keep its pretty shape. The natural shape of the abelia is elegant, and it looks most attractive when allowed to retain its graceful, arching habit. Abelia roots should not be left in heavy, saturated soil, especially during the cooler months. The soil should dry out between watering. The one thing that is common to all abelias is their dislike of high humidity levels in the soil. Temperature and Humidityĭifferent varieties of abelia have different levels of hardiness, so you need to make sure that the variety you choose is adapted to your zone.

This will result in an increased and more intense color. Once its roots are established, the abelia can absorb goodness and water from the soil, so less frequent watering is required.Īn abelia bush doesn’t require much feeding, although it will benefit from a light application in the early spring. Whilst young, an abelia plant needs to be watered regularly, especially during the summer or extended spells of heat. An abelia will die if its roots are left to sit for extended periods in cool, waterlogged soil.
#Abelia kaleidoscope images free
However, the most important requirement is that the soil must be free draining. The ideal soil for an abelia should be slightly acidic and enriched with plenty of organic matter. If you plant in the shade, you will get fewer blooms and less vivid color from your foliage. Not a fussy plant, but to get the best from the abelia, you should make sure that it receives around six hours of sunshine. Once established, the abelia requires little in the way of maintenance and in warmer zones, it will retain its foliage throughout the winter. Abelia kaleidoscope shrub photo by nahhan/depositphotos In Brief: Ideal Growing Conditions for Abelia The selection of your companion plants should also incorporate those which have similar sun, soil, and watering requirements, so consider the summarized care guide below before choosing the plants to grow alongside your abelias. Abelias come in a range of sizes, from low-growing plants to abelia bushes that will grow about 10 feet in both directions. First, you should make sure you are fully conversant with the potential size of your abelia and the growing space available. Planting companion plants always requires a little foresight and increased planning. What Plants to Choose to Grow alongside Abelia Used successfully, this planting method can extend the season of interest considerably, maybe even providing you with color year-round. Growing carefully selected plants that work together is one way that landscapers and gardeners get the most from the space available. But you may be wondering what other plants you could grow with the abelia bush.

An abelia is an elegant shrub with arching branches and long-lasting tubular flowers that will bring joy to your garden.
