Glossy Abelia Flower

Le guide des plantes Glossy abelia

This is a rounded, semi-evergreen shrub to 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide with glossy, dark green leaves. From midsummer to autumn, it produces fragrant, funnel-shaped white flowers that are tinged with pink.

CareProvide fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Most hardy of the abelias, but will probably need winter protection or careful siting in areas colder than Zone 6.

PropagationRoot tip cuttings in early spring or late

Planting glossy abelia

Glossy abelia is planted indifferently in fall or in spring. However, planting in fall will make regrowth easier.

Choose a spot preferably sheltered and in full sun because glossy abelia prefers sun to bloom.

• When planted in the ground, it requires light, well drained and especially not-too-moist soil.

• Growing glossy abelia in a pot is possible, but you must schedule repotting every 2 or 3 years and prune often to constrain its growth.

• Follow our advice on planting shrubs.

Propagating glossy abelia

Making cuttings is the easiest and fastest method to propagate glossy abelia.

• Glossy abelia cuttings are prepared in summer

• Snip 6-inch (15 cm) cuttings off from new wood growth (not yet totally hardened off).

• Remove lower pairs of leaves, keeping only one or 2 pair(s) of leaves.

• Stick the cuttings in special cutting soil mix.

• Keep the cuttings near light, but not in direct sunlight.

• Keep the substrate a little moist and protect cuttings from freezing in winter.

• Transplant in the following spring.

Pruning and caring for glossy abelia

When and how to prune your Abelia

To prune a glossy abelia well, consider that annual pruning at the end of winter or the beginning of spring encourages growth and blooming of the shrub. Prune before spring growth has started in earnest, because flowers appear on new growth. Pruning new growth from your abelia means less flowers will appear.

The pruning can be severe if needed. Best results are when you shape the shrub to help it keep a dense, opaque bearing and leafage.

• You must prune according to the shape you plan to give it.

• Whenever branches grow on several levels, over-shading will cause lower branches to grow sparse and leafless.

• Pruning abelia to low, ground-hugging shapes is most common and ensures all branches get plenty of sun.

Abelia diseases and pests

Since glossy abelia resists most diseases and parasites very well, normally you won’t need to treat it.