Abelia large-flowered: description and care rules

One of the many types of ornamental shrubs is the large-flowered abelia. This plant is very common among gardeners due to its unpretentiousness and long flowering, which lasts from June to September.

Description

The semi-evergreen shrub, sometimes growing to 180 cm in height, is the 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. Are located on the run opposite.

During flowering, large-flowered abelia, the photo of which is placed in this article, produces a very pleasant aroma, attracting insect pollinators. Flowers decorate the bush with magnificent clusters. They cover the plant almost all summer and are concentrated mainly at the ends of the branches. Each brush consists of a number of large five-lobe flowers, the color of which varies from white to purple, depending on the variety. Each one of them resembles a bell. Small fruits contain only one seed.

The most common varieties with which the large-flowered abelia bush is known are kaleidoskope, edward goucher, francis mason, which is distinguished by its yellow leaves.

Growth conditions

Choosing a place to house this shrub, you should consider what conditions are necessary for its optimal development. Plants in containers or pots are best placed in winter garden or a greenhouse for winter. Shrub can overwinter in the open ground, when the winter is soft enough. Well concealed since autumn, it easily tolerates temperatures of up to 9 ° C below zero. If it happens that the frost snatches the 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.

Abelia large-colored prefers to grow in well-illuminated areas of the sun. But from daytime scorching rays it must be protected. They can dry the plant and lead to burns on the leaves. The most suitable is the sunlight in the morning and evening hours. In shaded areas this plant is practically not developing. Its growth is too slow, there is no flowering, and the leaves gradually turn pale, becoming almost yellow.

Preferred are light, slightly acidic soils with a pH of 6.0-6.5. They must have a rich composition of organic substances.

Care instructions

In summer the large-flowered abelia needs frequent and abundant 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 irrigation is reduced to a minimum. To moisten the air, you can put a tray with water next to it. Shrub, which remains to winter on the street, also stop watering immediately after the leaves fall.

Good growth and abundant flowering will please every summer, the large-flowered Abelia, care of which is carried out taking into account all requirements. One of them is the timely fertilizing of the plant. Shrub prefers organic substrates rich in organic matter, and therefore in spring it is necessary to add mullein, compost, humus or a solution of bird droppings to the soil. As soon as the light day starts to increase (in March-April), the Abel, wintering indoors, begin to feed, 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.

The large-flowered abelia grows at a fairly rapid rate, the description of which is given above. Over the season, it is capable of almost doubling in size. To give the crown a certain shape, the shoots are cut off. When growing an ampel plant, pruning can be avoided. The right time for this procedure is the end of winter. To make the bush look more lush, pruning is performed right after flowering.

Transfer

During the period of intensive growth of Abelia, it is necessary to conduct at least two transplants during the summer period. This will require a spacious container, which is first laid drainage layer. The soil is prepared from a mixture of turf, humus, hardwood and sand (ratio 2: 2: 2: 1, respectively). Adult plants are transplanted approximately 2-3 times a year.

Reproduction

Abelia large-flowered can reproduce as seeds, and cuttings. In the first variant, sowing takes place in January. It is important to ensure that the plantings are regularly watered and ventilated. Seeds come up quickly enough. After the appearance of the first real leaves, the seedlings are dived. Flowering plants can be observed in the same year.

When propagating cuttings use the remaining shoots cut from the apical branches, about 5 cm in length. 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. Rooted cuttings in about 2-3 weeks planted in small pots filled with a mixture of garden land, peat and sand, taken in equal quantities. After the root system has completely penetrated the soil com, the plant is transferred to a more spacious flower pot. Flowering occurs most often only in the third year, but sometimes even earlier it can please its beauty with large-flowered abelia. Reproduction by cuttings is the most common method used by gardeners to plant this shrub.

Diseases and pests

Abelia is often damaged by powdery mildew. The disease manifests itself in the form of a white powder coating on the leaflets. Damaged parts of the plant must be removed, and then the plant is treated with a special preparation (you can use "Topaz" or "Bayleton").

Great harm can cause abelia insect pests. Most often these are aphids, spider mites, thrips, mealy worms. They can be removed with a sponge impregnated with a soap solution, and treat the bush with an insecticide.

Painful signs can also be observed with improper care of the plant. Thus, the drying and falling of leaves is the result of prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. A lack of light can lead to a lack of flowering, and a low temperature - to the fall of foliage.

In general, large-flowered abelia does not require too much care. Even a budding florist can have a fragrant, lush, beautiful bush.