Whether you already own an abelia plant or you’re thinking about taking the plunge and adding one to your garden, you’re probably wondering whether or not it’s evergreen. Today, we are going to explore all you need to know about abelia, from its evergreen status, as well as how to best care for it so that you can enjoy it for plenty more years to come.
So, is abelia evergreen? Abelia is evergreen, so long as it is well taken care of and it is kept in optimal conditions for it to thrive. While warm and wind-free environments are ideal, these plants can survive the winter with protective measures.
Read on to learn more!
Does Abelia Come Back Every Year?
Whether or not your abelia will come back every year is contingent on both the climate, your efforts to look after it, and the variety of abelia at hand.
Climate-wise, their ideal environments are those that are warm and wind-free.
However, your efforts to keep your abelia warm and healthy, coupled with its general hardiness and low maintenance nature, mean that it’s likely to survive and return annually, even if the temperatures do plummet to depths far cooler than its natural comfort zone.
Can An Abelia Survive Winter?
Abelia is a subtropical evergreen shrub, which means it originated from a warmer climate. However, it has adapted to be able to survive in climates that have frost and freezing temperatures.
Whilst it’s resilient on its own, it will take a little preparation on your end too.
The key steps to take include planting your abelia in an area that receives full or partial sun, mulching around the base of the plant to insulate its roots, protecting it from harsh winter winds by placing burlap or a screen around it, and finally, during periods of extreme cold, giving it extra water to keep it hydrated.
Benefits Of The Abelia As An Evergreen Plant
Year-Round Interest in the Garden
An evergreen abelia will bear foliage all year round, thereby existing as a source of constant visual interest, which can be a great way to add some life and vibrancy to your garden, even in the dead of winter.
Increased Privacy and Screening
Evergreen abelias plants can be a great way to create a sense of privacy in your garden.
With their dense foliage and tall stature of up to six feet, they can essentially create a wall of greenery that blocks out unwanted onlookers across the seasons.
When planted in a row, they can form a natural barrier that gives you the privacy and sense of enclosure that you desire.
Low Maintenance Requirements
Evergreen abelias are relatively low maintenance in nature, making them a great choice for busy gardeners or those with limited resources.
They require far less pruning, trimming, and even fertilizing than their deciduous counterparts.
Environmental Benefits
Finally, with an evergreen abelia in your garden, the environment will be better off too.
They are great for wildlife, providing a constant source of food and shelter throughout the year, in turn enabling many species of birds and beneficial insects to thrive in your garden.
Additionally, their dense foliage can act as a windbreak, reducing the force of strong winds that could otherwise damage more delicate surrounding plants.
Caring For Your Abelia To Maintain Its Evergreen Status
On the whole, caring for your abelia is simple and straightforward, and following a few basic tips will ensure it remains healthy and evergreen for years to come.
Water and Soil Requirements
The key to a healthy, vibrant Abelia is water.
Its soil should never be dry, nor should it be too wet.
To keep your abelia hydrated whilst avoiding causing it to become waterlogged and evoking root rot, the ideal watering frequency is a maximum of twice a week.
There’s also no harm in misting its leaves to boost the humidity around it.
Fertilisation
Whilst it’s by no means a requirement for its survival, for it to thrive, good practice dictates that you should fertilize your abelia on a periodic basis.
By feeding it just once or twice per season with a specially formulated fertilizer, you’ll increase the likelihood of it remaining green year-round.
Reason being the application of extra nutrients will help the plant to develop both strong, healthy roots and foliage.
Plus, its soil will become healthier which in turn will help the plant to absorb water and nutrients more efficiently.
Pruning and Shaping
You should prune your abelia in late winter or early spring before its prime growing season.
This essential gardening practice will keep your plant healthy and strong, improve its structure, and result in a more attractive and vibrant aesthetic overall.
The removal of dead or diseased branches and foliage can help to reduce the spread of disease or pests through the rest of the plant.
Finally, pruning can help to increase air circulation and light penetration, which will boost your abelias growth rate and, thus, retain its evergreen status.
Winter Care
Taking good care of your abelia in the winter is essential for its health and vitality, and fortunately, the measures you ought to take are all pretty straightforward.
First and foremost, your abelia plant will need protection from the cold.
If the temperature drops below freezing, you’ll need to provide it with sufficient protection.
A protective layer of mulch around the base of the shrub will help to insulate the roots and keep it warm, and wrapping it in burlap, old sheets, or even placing a screen around it will protect it from harmful winds.
It’s also important to keep your abelia plants well-watered throughout the winter, as they may suffer from dehydration if they don’t receive enough moisture.
Finally, when late winter arrives, be sure to routinely prune your abelia just before new growth begins.
Cut off any dead or damaged branches, and remove any branches that are crossing or growing inward.
You should also remove any weak or spindly branches that detract from the shrub’s overall shape.
