Fauna Database: Abelia

[Abelia x grandiflora]

 

Edward Goucher Abelia

[Abelia grandiflora ‘Edward Goucher’].

Picture taken on June 17, 2016.

In garden: 2014-current From Wikipedia [1]:  Abelia is a formerly recognized genus that contained about 30 species and hybrids, placed in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae. Molecular phylogenetic studies showed that the genus was not monophyletic, and in 2013, Maarten Christenhusz proposed the merger of Abelia (excluding section Zabelia) into Linnaea, along with some other genera. Abelia section Zabelia was raised to the genus Zabelia.Species formerly placed in Abelia are shrubs from 1–6 m tall, native to eastern Asia (Japan west to the Himalaya) and southern North America (Mexico); the species from warm climates are evergreen, and colder climate species deciduous. The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three, ovate, glossy, dark green, 1.5–8 cm long, turning purplish-bronze to red in autumn in the deciduous species. The flowers appear in the upper leaf axils and stem ends, 1-8 together in a short cyme; they are pendulous, white to pink, bell-shaped with a five-lobed corolla, 1–5 cm long, and usually scented. Flowering continues over a long and continuous period from late spring to fall.The generic name commemorates Clarke Abel, a keen naturalist who accompanied Lord Amherst's unsuccessful embassy to China in 1816 as surgeon, under the sponsorship of Sir Joseph Banks. All of Abel's seeds and plants were lost in a shipwreck on the homeward voyage, however; living plants of Abelia chinensis (now Linnaea chinensis) were first imported to England in 1844 by Robert Fortune.    Also Known as: Varieties/Cultivars: Edward Goucher Abelia [Abelia x grandiflora 'Edward Goucher'] Lifetime: Perennial Herbaceous: No Purchased from: Soil: Moisture: Fertilizer: Winterizing: Pruning: From University of Tennessee [2]: Because they produce flowers on new growth or current season wood, the optimal time to prune summer-flowering trees and shrubs is late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. Remove about one-third individual stems at ground level every couple of years rather than shearing. Head back new growth to produce more lateral shoots. From University of Kentucky [3]: Pruning Landscape Shrubs: Summer flowering shrubs which should be pruned before spring growth begins. Glossy abelia and butterflybush require considerable pruning. Prune before spring growth and again after it blooms. From University of Georgia [4]: Heading removes the terminal portion of shoots or limbs (Fig. 7a). By removing apical dominance, heading stimulates regrowth near the cut. It also is the most invigorating type of pruning cut, resulting in thick compact growth and a loss of natural form, as in the case of a formally pruned hedge. Sometimes ornamental shrubs along a foundation overgrow their planting space and are rejuvenated by heading to within 12 inches of ground level. Many broadleaf shrubs such as burford holly, ligustrum, abelia and crape myrtle tolerate this type of pruning. Prune before spring growth begins. Transplant: Propagation: Toxicity: Pinterest:

References:

Web Links:

1. Abelia, Wikipedia. (n.d.). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abelia (accessed April 21, 2019).
2. B. Klingeman, D.C. Fare, Best Management Practices for Pruning Landscape Trees, Shrubs and Ground Covers, University of Tennessee Extension. (2008). https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/documents/pb1619.pdf (accessed April 21, 2019).
3. R.E. McNeil, W.L. Mesner, W.M. Fountain, W.D. Dunwell, Pruning Landscape Shrubs, University of Kentucky, Cooperative Extension Service. (1982). https://simpson.ca.uky.edu/files/pruning_landscape_shrubs.pdf (accessed April 21, 2019).
4. B. Westerfield, Basic Principles of Pruning Woody Plants, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. (2017). http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B949 (accessed April 21, 2019).

Books:

1. Penelope O’Sullivan, The Homeowner’s Complete Tree & Shrub Handbook: The Essential Guide to Choosing, Planting, and Maintaining Perfect Landscape Plants. (2007). Storey Publishing, LLC. p. 156.