Abelia is an attractive shrub with many appealing qualities – it’s long flowering, scented and is often evergreen. It has arching branches with pretty flowers that are usually pink, white or a reddish pink with glossy green leaves.
These shrubs are native to the Himalayas, East Asia and Mexico and are popular in the UK for their foliage and scented flowers. Many abelias are evergreen or semi-evergreen, although some like Abelia chinensis are deciduous and lose their leaves over winter. If you’re looking for year-round interest, choose an evergreen variety such as Abelia x grandiflora, which keeps its leaves for much of the year and has small, pale pink flowers. Other evergreen varieties include Abelia floribunda with bright pink flowers and Abelia ‘Edward Goucher’, which is semi evergreen lilac pink flowers and bronze autumn colour
Abelia will grow to between 2.5m to 4m tall, depending on variety, over a period of around 10 years.
Proper spacing is one of the most important aspects of abelia plant care yet it’s often overlooked. Abelias are notorious for their vigorous growth habit spreading into large, sprawling shrubs over time. Without adequate spacing, abelias become overcrowded, resulting in lackluster flowers and increased susceptibility to disease. Follow this guide to learn optimal spacing techniques for lush, vibrant abelia plants.
How Much Space Does an Abelia Plant Need?
Abelia plants range in size depending on variety, reaching heights of 1-6 feet and spreads of 3-5 feet at maturity. Use the expected mature dimensions of your specific abelia cultivar to determine optimal spacing needs.
As a general rule:
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Allow at least 3 feet between smaller abelia varieties like ‘Rose Creek’ and ‘Canyon Creek’.
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Medium abelias like ‘Edward Goucher’ need 4-5 feet between plants.
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For larger varieties such as ‘Francis Mason’, allow 6 feet or more between plants.
Also consider the plant’s spread and leave enough room between plants to prevent overlapping as the abelia expands outward,
Spacing Guidelines for Planting Abelia
When planting abelia. follow these spacing guidelines
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Dig holes 2-3 times wider than the root ball but no deeper. Abelias prefer shallow planting.
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Space holes at the recommended distance for the particular variety.
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If planting in rows, allow 4-6 feet between rows depending on mature size.
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Plant abelias at the same depth they were growing in the nursery pot.
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Water thoroughly after planting and add mulch around each plant.
Planting abelias at the proper spacing right from the start ensures they have room to reach mature dimensions without overcrowding.
Tips for Spacing Abelia in Landscape Beds
Creatively incorporating abelia into landscape beds requires a keen eye for optimal plant spacing. Consider these tips:
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Use larger abelia varieties as anchor plants spaced widely apart.
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Fill gaps with smaller, compact abelia cultivars.
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Space abelias further apart at the back of beds and closer together at the front for layered depth.
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Plant abelias in staggered rows rather than linear ones to maximize space.
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Allow extra room around vigorous varieties expected to grow large.
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Trim abelias as needed to contain growth, but avoid shearing into old wood.
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Thin aging plants to revive growth when spacing becomes too tight.
Spacing for Container Grown Abelia
Growing abelia in containers limits space for root and canopy growth. Follow these guidelines:
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Select compact abelia varieties under 3 feet in height. Popular container varieties include ‘Rose Creek’, ‘Canyon Creek’, and ‘Little Richard’.
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Allow at least 12-24 inches between multiple abelia plants in the same container depending on variety.
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For single abelia specimens, choose containers that are 2-3 times wider than the root ball.
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Monitor watering closely and fertilize regularly in containers.
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Prune annually to control size and promote dense, compact growth habit.
Corrective Measures for Overcrowded Abelia Plants
Over time, improper spacing can cause abelias to become overgrown and congested. Here are some corrective measures:
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Thin the patch by removing some of the plants, focusing first on older stems.
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Prune oldest branches down to the ground on remaining plants to rejuvenate growth.
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Prune regularly to contain size and create an open, airy shape.
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Space pruning cuts throughout the canopy to allow light penetration.
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Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering to reduce disease risk.
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If needed, transplant some abelias to areas with proper spacing.
While remedying overcrowded abelias takes work, the renewed health and beauty of your plants makes it worthwhile!
Signs Your Abelia Needs More Space
Watch for these cues that your abelia planting is overcrowded and it’s time to expand their space:
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Lackluster, reduced blooms compared to prior years.
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Thin, twiggy appearance and lack of vigorous new growth.
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Foliage appears small and pale rather than full and lush.
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Increased problems with pests, disease, or dieback.
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Canopy density inhibits air circulation and light penetration.
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Plants appear stunted and fail to reach expected mature size.
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Rigid, intertwining branches with little room between plants.
The Benefits of Proper Abelia Spacing
Allowing enough space for air circulation and light penetration when planting abelia provides multiple benefits:
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Maximizes flowering and lush, colorful foliage.
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Lessens competition for water and nutrients.
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Improves pest and disease resistance.
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Prevents bare, woody base stems.
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Allows plants to achieve their mature dimensions.
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Creates an organized, attractive landscape.
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Makes pruning and maintenance easier.
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Extends the life of your landscape plants.
Proper abelia spacing is too often overlooked but it’s the foundation of growing robust, beautiful specimens. Follow these guidelines tailored specifically for abelia’s vigorous growth habit. A well-spaced landscape arrangement enhances the charm and appeal of these popular shrubs.
Common Spacing Questions
Still have questions about abelia spacing? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How far apart should I plant abelia shrubs?
Space abelia shrubs 3-6 feet apart depending on variety. Allow enough room for growth without plants touching at maturity.
Can I plant abelia close together?
Planting abelias too close together causes overcrowding issues. Leave adequate space for air circulation and growth.
Should I space abelia in a row or staggered?
Staggered rows utilize space most efficiently. Linear rows can work but allow ample distance between rows.
Is it okay to plant abelia along a fence line?
Yes, abelias make excellent fences and screens. But allow at least 2 feet between the fence and plants.
How do I revive overcrowded abelia plants?
Thin plants, prune oldest branches, improve air flow, space plants properly, and transplant excess plants to rejuvenate overcrowded abelia.
Careful attention to abelia spacing makes all the difference in growing specimens that thrive year after year. Follow these tips tailored specifically for abelia’s vigorous nature and you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking, healthy landscape.
How to prune abelia
Cut out any dead or damaged wood in the spring. Then deadhead regularly to encourage more flowers through summer. After flowering, in late autumn, tidy up the shrub by trimming any flowered shoots to tidy and reshape the shrub. If you live in a particularly cold area, this job can be done in spring. If you have an old, overgrown shrub, you can rejuvenate it by pruning some of the oldest, thickest stems from the base using a pruning saw or loppers. Remove up to a third of the stems and cut back any crossing branches.
How to plant abelia
The best time to plant evergreen shrubs is in either autumn or spring, when the soil is warm. For deciduous abelia varieties, plant them any time between autumn and spring, but avoid planting when the ground is waterlogged or frozen. If you buy a shrub in a container, you can plant it any of time of year but between autumn and spring is the best time, and avoid planting during hot weather.
To plant a shrub, first dig over the soil, removing any weeds and stones. Dig a hole that’s a bit deeper than the plant’s pot and three times its width. Use a garden fork to loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole. Carefully remove your shrub from its pot and tease out the roots if they have been tightly packed in the pot. Plant abelia at the same level that it was in the pot. Fill in around the plant with soil and firm in well. Water well.
How to Maintain Abelia – Description and Care Instructions
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