Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Planting
Plant Lemons & Lime abelia in sites that provide well-drained soil and full sun to light shade. Foliage color is most instense in full sun. Consistently wet soil can be a killer of these drought tolerant plants. When established, abelias require little if any supplemental irrigation, even during drought. Lemons & Lime is a good selection for a low hedge, a border, or in small to large groups in landscape beds for an outstanding wave of color.

To plant, dig a hole no deeper than the root ball and two to three times the width of the root ball and fill it with water. If the hole drains within a few hours, you have good drainage. If the water is still standing 12 hours later, improve the drainage in your bed, perhaps by establishing a raised bed or raised mound.

Turn and break up the soil removed from the planting hole. If the native soil is compacted or heavy clay amend with organic compost or a good soil amendment at a 50/50 ratio.

Remove your plant from its container and carefully but firmly loosen the roots around the surface of the root ball.

Set the plant into the hole you've prepared, making sure the top of the root ball is slightly above the soil level. Pull your backfill soil mixture around the root ball in the hole, tamping as you go to remove air pockets.

After planting, water thoroughly and apply a one to two-inch layer of mulch around the plant.

Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Pruning
Lemons & Lime Abelia requires very little if any pruning. It tends to keep a dense, mounded form all on its own, however can be sheared to keep a more formal shape. Stray or broken branches can be pruned any time of year.

Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Feeding
Fertilize Lemons & Lime Abelia with a well-balanced shrub & tree type fertilizer one time a year; after new growth begins to emerge in spring. An additional application of fertilizer can be made in late summer or early fall.

Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Problems
I've seen no pest or disease problems with Lemons & Lime Abelia. Plant in well-drained soil as consistently moist or wet soil can cause problems with the roots.

Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Pruning
Lemons and Lime Abelia requires very little pruning. If a more natural form is desired you may not want to prune this palnt at all. If a more compact, or formal appearance is desired you may want to prune once or twice a season. Hand pruners can be used to selectively prune wild growth, or hedge shears may be used for a neat shapely appearance.