Kaleidoscope Abelia - Ask Extension
I planted this plant last fall and it seemed to do well. Had a few blooms on it. This spring, it still looks basically the same as it did last fall....
Knowledgebase
Kaleidoscope Abelia #869781
Asked May 23, 2024, 12:50 PM EDT
I planted this plant last fall and it seemed to do well. Had a few blooms on it. This spring, it still looks basically the same as it did last fall. It does not look like it is getting ready to die, but I guess I was expecting to see some signs of new growth. I have seen a few leaves that look like they are new, but not the spring flush I was expecting. I have fertilized it this spring with Holly-Tone, which I use on all my shrubs. It gets sun most of the day and shade in late afternoon. Can you tell me if this is normal for this plant or should I be doing something else?
Sussex County Delaware
Expert Response
From your photo, the Abelia is putting out some new growth. That would be the pink stems and leaves at the top. They have not developed the green and yellow striping yet. This plant may not flower this year since it was just planted in the fall. Transplant shock can set a plant back for up to a year. If you are not seeing the top growth you were expecting, it may be a root problem. Was the plant root bound in it's pot. I would guess it was by the number of older branches in the middle of the shrub. If you didn't tease out the roots, I would dig up the plant, tease out the roots and replant it. Then do not fertilize as that will promote top growth at the expense of the roots settling in.
If you have sandy soil, adding organic matter at the time of planting would also help. If you have not done so for this garden, perhaps a soil test is in order?
Delaware Soil Testing Program | Cooperative Extension | University of Delaware
You could also go in and prune out the multiple branches that don't have any leaves on them. This will promote better air circulation within the plant and prevent fungal diseases as the hot humid weather hits. Each year you can prune out up to 1/3 of the branches at the ground so it does not become a tangled mess. This also promotes better leaf growth and flowering.
Lastly, make sure the roots are getting water through the landscape fabric and it is not running off.
If you have sandy soil, adding organic matter at the time of planting would also help. If you have not done so for this garden, perhaps a soil test is in order?
Delaware Soil Testing Program | Cooperative Extension | University of Delaware
You could also go in and prune out the multiple branches that don't have any leaves on them. This will promote better air circulation within the plant and prevent fungal diseases as the hot humid weather hits. Each year you can prune out up to 1/3 of the branches at the ground so it does not become a tangled mess. This also promotes better leaf growth and flowering.
Lastly, make sure the roots are getting water through the landscape fabric and it is not running off.
