The Abelia plant comes in many different colors, including white, blue, pink, red and yellow. The Abelia shrub grows best in the shade and should be planted in well-drained soil that gets a lot of water during the spring and summer months and less so during winter months. Let’s look at how to grow an Abelia plant and what needs to be done in order to maintain it properly during its lifetime…
Choosing the right place
Abelias are a favorite shrub in many gardens because they’re so versatile. They can be grown in sun or shade, in moist soil or dry, and in containers or on the ground. A common mistake is planting them too close to buildings or other structures where wind may damage their branches. Remember that abelias like rich, moist soil and don’t do well with root competition from neighboring plants. So give your abelia some space! The key thing to remember is that it likes deep pots: If you’ve never planted an abelia before, make sure you purchase a pot at least twice as deep as it’s height. Fill the pot with good potting soil mixed half-and-half with either peat moss or sand (never both). When you plant your new abelia, leave plenty of room between its roots and the edge of the pot – usually six inches of space.
Preparing the soil
To prepare the soil, dig a hole in the ground at least two feet deep. This will give your plant plenty of room to spread out. Fill the bottom of the hole with compost, which will provide nutrients for the plant. Place some potting soil on top of this layer and then place your abelia on top. Fill in around it with more potting soil until it is level with the ground. The surface should be flat and smooth, without any gaps. If you are planting more than one abelia, make sure that they are spaced at least four feet apart from each other so that they have enough room to grow.
Pests and Diseases
Some common pests that affect abelia are scales, spider mites, mealybugs, and ants. Spider mites are the most difficult pest as they can become resistant to pesticides. The most effective control measure is natural predators such as ladybugs, lacewings, and praying mantids. If you use pesticides, be sure to read labels and follow instructions carefully. These plants do not like wet feet, so water them deeply but infrequently. They prefer soils that drain well. Mix in compost or other organic matter when planting in order to maintain a healthy soil environment. Water at ground level and avoid overhead watering. Feed weekly during active growth with a balanced fertilizer containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn).
