One of the many types of ornamental shrubs is large-flowered Abelia. This plant is very common among gardeners due to its unpretentiousness and prolonged flowering, which lasts from June to September.
Description
A semi-evergreen shrub, sometimes growing up to 180 cm in height, is most popular in Europe. In the northern regions of Russia, it is bred mainly as a pot culture. Glossy shiny leaves of dark green color have an oblong shape and a pointed tip. Settled on the escape opposite.
During flowering, the large-flowered Abelia, whose photo is posted in this article, produces a very pleasant aroma that attracts pollinating insects. Flowers adorn the bush with lush bunches. They cover the plant almost all summer and are concentrated mainly on the ends of branches. Each brush consists of many large five-petalled flowers, the color of which varies from white to purple, depending on the variety. In their form, each of them resembles a bell. Small fruits contain only one seed.
The most common varieties for which the abelia large-flowered shrub is known are kaleidoskope, edward goucher, francis mason, distinguished by its yellow leaves.
Growing conditions
Choosing a place to place this shrub, one should take into account what conditions are necessary for its optimal development. Plants in containers or pots are best placed in the winter garden or greenhouse for the winter. The shrub can overwinter in the open field, when the winter is quite mild. Well sheltered from the fall, it easily tolerates temperatures up to 9 ° C below zero. If it happens that frost picks up branches, in the spring these damaged shoots are removed. The most suitable temperature regime for this plant in winter is from 10 to 15 ° C.
Large-flowered Abelia prefers to grow in areas well lit by the sun. But it must be protected from the scorching rays of the day. They can dry out the plant and lead to burns on the leaves. Most suitable is sunlight in the morning and evening hours. In shaded areas, this plant practically does not develop. Its growth is too slow, flowering is absent, and the leaves gradually turn pale, becoming almost yellow.
Light, slightly acidic soils with a pH of 6.0–6.5 are preferred. They must have a rich composition of organic substances.
Care Rules
In summer, large-flowered Abelia needs frequent and plentiful watering, especially in the stage of active growth. In addition, it is recommended to regularly spray the leaves. This plant is seasonal and in the autumn-winter period requires rest. Therefore, with the end of summer, the frequency of watering is reduced to a minimum. To humidify the air, you can put a tray with water next to it. The shrub that remains to hibernate on the street also stops watering immediately after the leaves fall.
Every summer, large-flowered Abelia will please you with good growth and abundant flowering. One of them is timely plant nutrition. The shrub prefers substrates rich in organic substances, which means that in the spring it is necessary to add mullein, compost, humus or a solution of bird droppings to the soil. As soon as daylight hours begin to increase (in March-April), abelia wintering indoors begin to be fed, while increasing the frequency of irrigation and the amplitude of the temperature regime. Organic and mineral fertilizers, alternating, are applied 2 times a month in the recommended concentration.
At a fairly rapid pace, the large-flowered Abelia grows, the description of which is given above. During the season, it is able to almost double in size. To give the crown a certain shape, the shoots are cut off. When growing an ampel plant, pruning can be omitted. A suitable time for this procedure is the end of winter. To make the bush look more magnificent, pruning is performed immediately after flowering.
Transfer
During the period of intensive growth of abelia, at least two transplants must be performed during the summer period. This will require a spacious container, in which the drainage layer is first laid. The soil is prepared from a mixture of turf, humus, deciduous land and sand (ratio 2: 2: 2: 1, respectively). Adult plants are transplanted about 2-3 times a year.
Breeding
Large-flowered Abelia can propagate both by seeds and by cuttings. With the first option, sowing is carried out in January. It is important to provide plantings with regular watering and ventilation. Seeds germinate fast enough. After the appearance of the first true leaves, the seedlings dive. Flowering plants can be observed in the same year.
When propagating by cuttings, shoots remaining after pruning, cut from the apical branches, about 5 cm long, are used. First, cuttings must be rooted, for which they are placed in a substrate consisting of peat, perlite and sand. The temperature should be maintained at about 25 ° C. After about 2-3 weeks, rooted cuttings are planted in small pots filled with a mixture of garden soil, peat and sand, taken in equal amounts. After the root system completely braids the soil lump, the plant is transferred to a more spacious planter. Flowering occurs most often only in the third year, but sometimes even earlier abelia can be pleased with its beauty. Propagation by cuttings is the most commonly used method for planting this shrub by gardeners.
Diseases and Pests
Abelia is often damaged by powdery mildew. The disease manifests itself in the form of a white powdery plaque on leaflets. Damaged parts of the plant must be removed, and the plant should then be treated with a special preparation (you can use "Topaz" or "Bayleton").
Insect pests can cause great harm to abelia. Most often it is aphids, spider mites, thrips, mealybug. They can be removed with a sponge soaked in soapy water and the bush treated with an insecticide.
Painful symptoms can also occur with improper care of the plant. So, drying and falling of leaves is the result of prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Lack of light can lead to a lack of flowering, and low temperature - to fall of leaves.
In general, large-flowered Abelia does not require too complicated care. Even a novice grower in the house can settle fragrant lush and beautiful bush.