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Sweet Emotion® abelia ( Abelila mosanensis). On this page: The Basics | Planting | Care and Maintenance | Choosing the Right Abelia | Pictures | Landscaping Tips Newer hybrids are bred for unique foliage color, showier flowers and compact sizes more suitable to small urban lots. x grandiflora), the most common garden species, produces shiny semi-evergreen leaves in colder zones, while retaining year-round color in warmer regions. Related to honeysuckle, the genus Abelia includes 30 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs that are native to Eastern Asia and Mexico. Fragrant tubular flowers bloom for months, making it a nonstop food source for hummingbirds, butterflies and insect pollinators. The eye-catching leaves come in many different colors-from gold to burgundy-that often change throughout the growing season. Grown for its attractive foliage and exceptionally long bloom time, it is virtually maintenance-free once established. Abelia is an ornamental shrub that is under-appreciated and underused in many parts of the country and is worth a second look. With today’s busy lifestyles, homeowners are always looking for ways to liven up their landscapes without a lot of effort. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.Funshine® abelia ( Abelia grandiflora). Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. It can be used either as 'filler' or as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, depending on the height and form of the other plants used in the container planting.
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Kaleidoscope® Abelia makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water.
KALEIDOSCOPE ABELIA PRUNING FULL
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. Kaleidoscope® Abelia will grow to be about 30 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding burgundy in the fall. It has attractive gold-variegated green foliage with hints of pink. Kaleidoscope® Abelia features dainty clusters of lightly-scented white tubular flowers at the ends of the branches from mid summer to early fall, which emerge from distinctive pink flower buds. Kaleidoscope®: Abelia is recommended for the following landscape applications: It has no significant negative characteristics.
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It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats.
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This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. Kaleidoscope® Abelia is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form.
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