Abelia floribunda is one of the best-known shrubs for the garden and offers a multicolored vision. Its maintenance is quite easy and in return it offers you an almost magical image.
But, What is the care of abelia floribunda? How is it ? If you haven’t heard of it, or want to dig a little deeper, then we’ll talk about it.
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How is the Abelia floribunda
The first thing you need to know about Abelia floribunda is that it is a shrub. In its natural habitat, and leaving it free, can easily reach 3 meters in height. But its size is not the most important thing, but the attractiveness it offers in its foliage as well as its flowers.
For starters, it has arching limbs and can grow between 1.5 and 1.8 meters. They are brown or reddish in color, which makes them stand out against leaves and flowers that are other colors.
The the leaves are small and have an oval shape ending in a toothed edge. Its color is dark green and very shiny, but the upper and lower sides are somewhat different. On the harness you will find this dark green; but on the underside you will have a lighter tone.
Finally, the flowers are very striking and, above all, they impress with their color. Usually They are a mix between white and pink. (with red buds). They are bell-shaped and appear singly or in groups, hanging a little from the plant. It is from the chalices that a fruit will come.
Another fact you should know about Abelia floribunda is that it is not as “old” as you might think. At the beginning of the 19th century, the British Clarke Abel discovered abelias, but it was not until years later that, In Mexico, the Abelia floribunda was found and it was not moved to Europe until 1841.
They are evergreen shrubs, which means it will keep its leaf all year round. However, to bloom its time is from June. Now, don’t be surprised if it loses its leaves because it can behave like a semi-perennial, especially if you don’t give it the right conditions to sustain itself.
Abelia floribunda: important care
After knowing a little more about this shrub, how about the maintenance of Abelia floribunda? You should know that it is not difficult to take care of it, but it has some nuances that you must take into account to ensure that it is always healthy and perfect. What are? We list them below.
location and temperature
The best place where you can put this bush is, without a doubt, outdoors. We would even say that in full sun because he likes it and because he adapts to it very well. However, when choosing your location, you should try not to be in an area where the wind is blowing directly because it doesn’t take it well at all and can dry it out or even kill it.
As for the temperature, we know that it easily supports up to -3°C, but the cold does not support it too well. To the point that if it does a lot it can change its perennial form for a semi-perennial or even expire in some cases. As long as you take care of it, it should grow back in the spring.
Ground
The best substrate for Abelia floribunda will be one that is a little acidic and above all that it has good drainage.
You can put it both in the garden and in a pot as long as you control all of the above.
Irrigation
Irrigation is one of the most important cares for Abelia floribunda and also where it can fail the most. And it is that It’s a bit tricky with water. So much so that if you live in an area where it rains often, you wouldn’t have to worry about watering at all.
This plant does not tolerate drought all the time, so watering should be frequent. If, as we said before, it rains often in your area, in general it will be enough, but there will be times when you will have to water it.
To give you an idea, you may need to water it in the summer at least 3 times a week; and in winter one a week will suffice.
Of course, everything will depend on the climate and the location you give it. But you need to control this watering to prevent it from drying out easily.
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Bet whenever you can for a natural organic fertilizer. In this case, the care of the Abelia floribunda consists in throwing compost or manure once in a while because they are the best.
Always apply it between spring and summer, that’s when you’ll need it the most (this is your most active time).
Cut
Size is very important. First because it must be cleaned and above all avoid entanglements between the branches (This will hinder the passage of air and the ventilation of the plant).
In addition, with it you will improve flowering.
It is always carried out after the flowers have faded and no longer come out (that is, at the end of summer, at the beginning of autumn).
Plagues and diseases
You should know that the Abelia floribunda is very resistant to pests. But in the case of diseases, he is more likely to suffer from them.
Among them, those who have to do with fungi, viruses and/or bacteria can affect you, especially after pruning (this is why it is important to seal the cuts to avoid this). An example of a disease is powdery mildew.
Multiplication
Abelia floribunda reproduces in two different ways:
- By air layering, which are planted as if they were small plants so that the roots come out and a new plant is obtained from them. When it is well established, you can cut the “tie” between the two plants and arrange them separately.
- by cuttings. These should be at least 12 inches long and have a semi-woody appearance. They should be cut in early spring and planted with rooting hormones for best success. Of course, on the surface add a little sulfur because the cuttings are prone to fungus.
Now that you know how to take care of the Abelia floribunda and how it presents itself, would you dare to have it at home, either in your garden or in a pot?