Am I Taking Good Care of My Glossy Abelia?

Did you planted your glossy abelia in full sun or partial shade?

Did you planted your glossy abelia in well-drained, slightly acidic soil?

Did you mulch your glossy abelia to protect it from freezing temperatures?

Do you water your glossy abelia regularly during the growing season, and less often during dormancy?

Do you feed your glossy abelia every early spring?

Do you prune your glossy abelia from late winter to early spring?

Do you keep your glossy abelia free of pests and diseases?

Abelia thrives when grown in full sun and part shade but the more partial shade the plant is kept in, the less dense its foliage will be.

In order to bloom, abelia requires well-drained, slightly moist soil which is slightly acidic or of neutral pH. It is also fairly drought-tolerant and may survive in somewhat dry soil.

During the winter months, plant-based mulch should be applied near the roots to prevent them from freezing, especially for potted abelias.

The plant may need to be watered frequently during the growth stage, around once a week in hot climates to ensure the soil remains moist. During the dormancy season, it doesn’t require much water.

Apply a slow-release fertilizer formulated for woody plants in early spring. Mulch around the root zone with organic matter to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Since glossy abelia blooms on new wood, prune it from late winter to early spring before new growth emerges so that flowers are not sacrificed. Remove any dead or damaged branches, and thin as needed to encourage new shoots. Lightly prune to shape it.

Good job! You are taking good care of your glossy abelia.

Since glossy abelia resists most diseases and pests well, normally you won’t need to treat it. Possible diseases include powdery mildew and anthracnose. Pests include aphids. Prevent root rots by keeping the soil well-drained.