I have 4 of these as borders in my flower bed. They were doing great until we had days on top of days of rain. We haven't had rain in about 4-5 days but I have been digging the mulch around it and the ground is still damp, but they are turning brown like have burned or are dying. Should I have watered anyway? Or did they get too much? Can I save them? I have these all through my new landscaping and these are the only 4 that look this way? Please help! I have spent over $4000 to a landscaper.

Janet

Answer #2 · Brent Wilson's Answer · I have abelias planted all over my landscape as well...five different varieties. They are all doing exceptionally well. These are very tough plants and there only a couple things I can think of that may be causing the brown foliage on abelia.

As Brooks mentioned, if the soil in the area stays consistently wet or soggy this could cause problems with the roots of abelia, which prefer very well-drained soil and, when established, are very drought tolerant plants. If the soil is wet in that area I would suggest either relocating these plants or improving the drainage in the area and replanting.

The other thing I can think of is over-fertilization or if a weed & feed type lawn fertilizer was spread around the plants. The weed killer in any lawn weed & feed product can cause serious damage and even death to any and all type of plants, except for lawn grasses of course. Abelia aren't tremendously heavy feeders. I feed them once in spring and again in early summer with a dose of mild, organic fertilizer. A light dose of good slow-release "shrub & tree" or "nursery" type fertilizer would work as well.

Being that other abelia in other areas of your landscape are doing fine, I would guess that it's a soil moisture problem.

Hope you get it figured out. You might want to call the landscape contractor and have them come and take a look.

Brent)

Answer #1 · Brooks Wilson's Answer · Hi Janet,

It sounds to me like the Abelia are getting too much water. Abelia do not like wet feet and are easily prone to root rot.

Make sure that the landscapers planted the Abelia correctly. The top of the root ball should be slightly above ground level, maybe an inch or so, with no soil piled on top. The top surface of the root ball should be exposed. A thin layer of mulch is ok... between 1-2 inches, however at this pojnt I would pull the mulch back and allow the plant to dry out a little.

Hope this helps you out.

Brooks Wilson))