Ruby Anniversary® Abelia Plant

Ruby Anniversary® Abelia Plants offer colorful foliage that emerges a glossy red, then ages to a handsome dark green. The white flowers with soft pink bracts provide a long season of interest. Abelia attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Ruby Anniversary® Abelia chinensis 'Keiser' USPP 21,632

Companion Planting: Iris, Spiraea, Weigela

Planting Instructions:

• - Best planted in early spring or fall to allow for root establishment before either hot or cold extreme temperatures
• - Space plants 2-3 feet apart to accommodate their mature width

Soil Preparation:

• - Ideal soil pH: 6.0-7.5, prefers well-drained, fertile soil
• - Enrich soil with organic matter before planting to improve fertility and drainage

Watering Specifics:

• - Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system
• - Once established, Abelia is quite drought-tolerant but benefits from watering during prolonged dry spells

Fertilizer Type:

• - Feed with a general-purpose fertilizer in early spring and again in midsummer to promote vigorous growth and abundant flowering
• - Avoid over-fertilization which can lead to excessive foliage at the expense of blooms

Pruning and Training:

• - Prune in late winter or early spring to shape the plant and remove any dead or damaged wood
• - Abelia blooms on new growth, so pruning encourages more flowers

Additional Pest Management:

• - Generally pest-resistant; monitor for occasional aphids or scale
• - Treat infestations early with appropriate insecticides or natural remedies

Temperature Tolerance:

• - Hardy in USDA zones 5-9
• - Tolerates a range of temperatures but may require mulching in winter to protect roots in colder zones