This evergreen, low-growing flowering shrub is a summer bloomer, is almost as wide as it is tall and is also very popular with bumblebees and bees. However, not all varieties are completely winter hardy.
Characteristics
- Plant family: honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae)
- Botanical name: Abelia grandiflora
- German names: Large-flowered Abalie, Abalie
- Habit: shrubby with curved branches
- Height: 100-150 cm
- Foliage: dark green, ovate, pointed
- Autumn color: orange, red
- Blossom: panicles, funnel-shaped, simple, pink-white
- Flowering period: July to September
- Limescale tolerance: sensitive to lime
Site conditions
In order for Abelia grandiflora to bloom profusely, it needs a sunny location, whereby it also tolerates partially shaded areas. However, if it is too dark, it will only form a few flowers and will wither over time. In addition, the location should be protected from the wind. The demands on the condition of the soil are also not very high.
- Soil above all well-drained, moist and rich in nutrients
- Abalie tolerates slightly alkaline to acidic substrates
- loose, humus soil with a high proportion of sand is ideal
- very loamy soils rather unsuitable
- as well as those with a high percentage of peat
- also not optimal due to the addition of sand, grit or limestone
- upgrade poor soils with compost
- Avoid compacted soils, they tend to build up waterlogging
Tip: The topsoil (topsoil) should be at least 30 cm high. It stores water, important nutrients and filters out pollutants.
Planting time
In principle, planting is possible from spring to autumn, but preferably in spring as soon as there is no longer any risk of frost. Except in summer heat and frozen ground, container plants can almost
to be planted all year round. On the day of planting, it should be warm, dry and of course frost-free.
Planting instructions
- Thoroughly water the abalia before planting
- in the meantime dig a sufficiently large planting pit
- twice as wide and deep as the ball of the foot
- Enrich the excavated earth with humus and compost
- Pay attention to the balance between the two components
- Loosen the soil in the planting hole
- Insert the abalie in the middle, as deep as before in the pot
- fill up with excavated earth
- Press down the soil, create the watering edge and water well
- If there are several copies, a spacing of 150-180 cm is recommended
Tub planting
Planting in a tub is also possible without any problems and has the advantage that both the location and winter protection can be individually designed. There are a few things to consider here.
- Planters shouldn't be too small
- at least 60 cm high and wide
- First provide the bucket with drainage
- fill in part of the earth
- alternating humus and potting soil
- Insert Abelia grandiflora
- Fill up to two centimeters below the edge with soil
- Press the substrate on and water well
to water
This plant would like to be watered regularly from spring to autumn, depending on the weather. In the summer months the water requirement is particularly high, so daily watering is recommended. It only tolerates very short dry periods without being damaged. After a long period of heat and drought, water should be used thoroughly. To prevent the soil from drying out or To avoid the area around the roots, a permanent layer of mulch can help hold moisture in the soil for much longer. However, waterlogging should be avoided.
Tip:
Container plants usually need more water because the volume is limited and the substrate dries out much faster. This is why it is important to ensure that the soil moisture remains constant and, if the temperature is hot, water it every day.Fertilize
As far as the supply of nutrients is concerned, fertilization should be moderate. In the bed, it is usually sufficient to add some compost or humus once in spring and again at the end of summer. In addition, the use of a low-nitrogen full or liquid fertilizer is recommended. Container plants can be supplied with a liquid fertilizer about every two weeks or once in spring with a long-term fertilizer for flowering plants.
Cut
The large-flowered abalia does not normally need regular pruning. Nevertheless, it is very cut-resistant and can easily withstand one or the other correction cut if necessary. The best time for pruning is in the spring before budding begins. In doing so, shoots that are too long can be shortened and dead ones completely removed. This promotes more compact growth and increased flower formation. Minor cosmetic corrections can be made at any time. In the case of older specimens, a rejuvenating pruning in spring can encourage the flowers to bloom. If the corrections are made in summer, there is usually no flowering in the following year.
Overwinter
In the bed
Abelia grandiflora is short-term winter hardy to minus 15 degrees in a protected location. In most cases it cannot tolerate longer periods of frost with these temperatures. Good winter protection is therefore indispensable and also recommended in milder locations. Young plants are particularly at risk. To protect them, cover the planting site in autumn with a warming layer of mulch made of leaves or compost. The above-ground shrub parts of young plants are also wrapped with fleece, reed mats, bubble wrap or jute. On frost-free days, something should be poured and fertilization should be avoided completely during the winter.
In the bucket
- in very rough locations it is better to keep abalia in the bucket
- frost-free wintering is no problem
- Winter quarters should be bright and cool
- Temperatures between five and ten degrees are ideal
- Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight
- Garage or unheated winter garden ideally suited
- In milder locations, wintering outside is also possible
- in a sheltered and covered place
- preferably in front of a warm house wall
If the container plant is to hibernate outdoors, of course this is not possible without adequate protection. Both the root area and the above-ground parts of the bush are wrapped with several layers of fleece. To protect against frost, the bucket is placed from below on an insulating surface, e.g. B. Styrofoam or a wooden pallet. The abalia must also be frost-free in the bucket
Days to be poured occasionally. The substrate should not dry out.Repot the potted plants
Once the winter is over, the best time is to repot specimens in the tub. While abalones should not be transplanted in the garden if possible, it is necessary for potted plants regularly, i.e. every one to two years. The new bucket should only be slightly larger than the old one.
With the potted plant soil you should pay attention to high quality. The potted plant soil should contain sufficiently coarse-grained, mineral components. Soils with a high percentage of peat are not recommended. After the plant has been removed from the old pot, loose soil is removed from the ball and the roots are shortened if necessary. Then just insert the plant and finally don't forget to water it.
Propagation via cuttings
Cuttings for propagation can be obtained when pruning in spring, for example. The mother plant should of course be healthy and free from pests.
- cut half-ripe head cuttings in May
- about ten to twelve inches long
- remove the lower leaves from the cuttings
- Leave the top two to three leaves on the cutting
- Fill small pots with potting soil or a mixture of soil and sand
- Use one or more pieces per pot
- Cover at least two eyes with soil
- Moisten the substrate and keep it evenly moist
- Place pots in a bright and warm place without direct sunlight
- Roots are formed when new shoots appear
- after the ice saints transplant into the garden
Diseases
Chlorosis
So-called chlorosis, also known as bleaching or jaundice, is a deficiency symptom. It occurs more frequently during the cold winter months. Control measures are usually not necessary, because it usually disappears on its own, because as soon as it gets warmer again, the plant regulates the deficiency itself.
Fungal attack
A fungal attack occurs, for example, if the humidity is too high or if too much water is poured. Then you should look for a more suitable location for the plant and adjust the watering rates to the needs of the plant. If the infestation is more severe, the use of suitable pesticides is advisable.
Pests
The large-flowered abalia (Abelia grandiflora) is extremely resistant to pests. Nevertheless, under unfavorable conditions, an infestation with aphids can occasionally occur. They prefer to show up in spring, especially on the fresh shoots. They can be removed with a powerful jet of water, a self-made soapy water or, if necessary, with a suitable insecticide.