Kaleidoscope abelia companion plants can help elevate the vibe of your garden or backyard. Even though kaleidoscope abelias pair well with other abelias and make great radiance abelia companion plants and rose creek abelia companion plants, it is always a good idea to have variety.
We have gathered companion plants that will go well when paired with kaleidoscope abelias, gon have a read and let your imagination run wild.
Contents
7 Attractive Kaleidoscope Companion Plants
Kaleidoscope companion plants include plants that will help you decide what to plant with abelia Grandiflora to make it look more appealing. These abelia companion plants are chosen based on the same survival conditions, pollination, and ornamental purposes, etc.
Here are seven attractive kaleidoscope companion plants to make your kaleidoscopes the center of attention:
1. Maiden Grass
Maiden grass is a prized perennial herbaceous ornamental grass that belongs to the Poaceae family and is native to Asia.
The ornamental grass has slender leaves in the form of clumps that spread out and up, resembling a fountain. The plant bears beautiful copper flowers that transform into silver-white plumes in fall. It makes a great backdrop for kaleidoscope abelia.
– Growing Season
Maiden grass is planted in spring and can even be planted in fall, although planting it in spring gives it enough time to have an established root system before winter hits.
It has a slow growth rate and, once mature, it can be 3 to 8 feet tall. The grass does not require fertilizer or pesticides; it will surely appreciate some organic soil rich in manure and compost.
– Specific Needs
The ornamental grass propagates best through division. Divide it every three years or so to boost its growth. Maiden grass prefers to grow in full to partial sun and moist but well-drained soil with a neutral to acidic pH.
In the first growing season, water the plant generously to help strengthen the root system. Once the plant is established, water it in extreme heat and drought.
It is necessary to clip maiden grass in early spring to keep it healthy. Trim the flower head to prevent them from self-seeding. This will save you from having maiden grass all over the place, as the flowers can self-seed.
2. Heavenly Bamboo
Heavenly bamboo, also known as sacred bamboo, is a shrub that belongs to the Berberidaceae family and is native to Eastern Asia. The plant has textured compound leaves and cane-like stems and bears cream-white flowers and bright red berries. The tall plants help with abelia kaleidoscope care by creating shade over the plants.
– Growing Season
The best season to plant heavenly bamboo is the cool fall months, but not in extremely cool months. It blooms in spring.
The plant grows best in a warm and wind-controlled environment. It grows fast and can be as tall as 7 feet and as wide as 5 feet once it matures.
– Specific Needs
Heavenly bamboo is propagated through cuttings, both softwood and semi-hardwood. It prefers full to partial sun and rich, well-draining soil with an acidic pH. Water the plant deeply during its first growing season, and after the plant has established, water it as needed. Furthermore, add water-soluble fertilizer to the plant during its growing period.
Prune your weak bamboo stems to help the plant maintain its appeal once they have grown.
3. Lily of the Nile
The Lily of the Nle is a blue-flowered perennial that belongs to the family of Amaryllidaceae and is native to Africa. The plant has up to twenty glossy and dark green strap-like leaves about 8 to 12 inches in length. It can also bloom purple, white, and lavender flowers in addition to blue flowers.
Lily of the Nile makes a great pairing plant for your kaleidoscopes because they both have the same growing conditions, for example both of them prefer to grow in moist and acidic soil . Furthermore, the plant adds color to the space.
– Growing Season
It is best to plant lilies of the Nile in spring in regions that experience extremely cool winters. However, in moderate climates, you can plant lilies of the Nile in the fall.
Lily of the Nile has a slow growth rate; it takes two to three years for the plant to fully mature.
– Specific Needs
The plant can be propagated through division and seeds; however, it may take longer for the plants to grow through seeds. It enjoys full to partial sun and moist but well-drained soil. In the growing season, water the plant enough to keep it moist.
The plant does not require watering in the winter season. You can appy fertilizer that is rich in phosphorus but has a low nitrogen content. Cut off the dead leaves entirely or back to the healthy part to blend in nicely with the remaining leaves.
4. Japanese Pachysandra
These plants, also known as the Japanese Spurge, are herbaceous perennials that belong to the Boxwood family and are native to eastern Asia. The plants have leathery green, 2 to 4 inches long leaves that form clusters on the tips of stems with white flowers. Furthermore, they make good ground covers for kaleidoscopes as they are drought-tolerant and bloom in acidic soil.
– Growing Season
Plant Japanese pachysandra in spring or early so that it has an established root system before the winter sets in.
It has a slow growth rate, can only be as tall as 8 inches, and can cover an area of up to 18 inches. Furthermore, it has an average life expectancy of 20 years if kept under ideal conditions.
– Specific Needs
The Japanese pachysandra propagates best through the division of underground stems, but ensure that you water the plant to a 5-inch depth the night before you pro[agate them. They prefer to grow in partial shade and moist, well-drained, rich-in-organic matter soil with an acidic pH.
Water the plant daily until the roots are mature, and avoid overwatering as it will cause the roots to rot. Furthermore, add fertilizers rich in iron and sulfur to keep the plant green. The plants do not require frequent pruning but will certainly have healthy growth if the dead parts are cut off.
5. Marigold
Marigolds are herbaceous perennials that belong to the Asteraceae family and are native to Southern North America. The plant’s leaves are pinnately segregated, and the leaflets are saw-edged. The flowers have large globular heads and vary in color from yellow to orange.
Having a marigold plant is a huge help with kaleidoscope abelia problems. This particular abelia companion has aphid-repelling properties that will save your kaleidoscopes from dying.
– Growing Season
The plants can be planted from spring to midsummer. They bloom around summertime, and have a fast growth rate. They sprout within a week in warm weather and bloom in approximately two months.
– Specific Needs
The easiest way to propagate marigolds is through seeds, but you can also propagate them through cuttings. Marigolds prefer to grow in full to partial sun and evenly moist, well-drained soil with an acidic pH.
Water the plant daily in the initial growth stages. They become drought-tolerant once the roots establish and will bloom their best if watered weekly. Furthermore, they do not require any additional fertilizer to be applied. It is recommended that you deadhead the plants regularly to keep them blooming.
6. Pittosporum
Pittosporum, also known as the Australian Laurel, is an evergreen perennial shrub that belongs to the Cheesewoods family and is native to Australia. The plant has leathery, obvate, dark green, and glossy leaves. The flowers are cream-white, and each flower has five sepals and five petals and has a sweet, irresistible scent.
The lustrous green foliage makes pittosporum an excellent abelia companion. The plants are also a great attraction for the bees as they have nectar-bearing properties.
– Growing Season
It can be planted all year long as the soil is not frozen. The plants bloom in early to mid-spring. They are fast-growing and may grow up to 3 feet per year under ideal conditions, making them an excellent choice for building screens.
– Specific Needs
Pittosporum can be propagated through seeds and cuttings; however, seeding is a longer process. The plants can grow in both full sun and shade and deep, well-drained soil and tolerate all types really except for wet clay.
They require regular watering in the first couple of years of planting. But once fully mature, they require watering in extreme heat spells. Furthermore, they appreciate slow-release fertilizers every spring. Pittosporum evolves into loose hedges as they grow, so trim the leaves two or three times in the growing season to ensure an even look.
7. Catmint
It is a flowering herbaceous perennial that belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The plant has a gray-green, hardy, aromatic foliage that attracts cats, giving it its name. Its stems are covered in two-lipped purple, white and pink flowers from summer to autumn.
It makes a great companion for your kaleidoscope abelias because they have the same growth rate and survival conditions—the young catmint plant pairs beautifully with the abelia kaleidoscope in the container. When you plan to transplant kaleidoscope abelia in the ground, they can be easily transplanted.
– Growing Season
The best season to plant catmint is spring or autumn. It blooms around spring and summer. It has a slow growth rate and can be 2 feet tall and the same wide once fully mature.
– Specific Needs
Catmints grow and bloom for years and years, but if you wish to have more of them, they propagate best through division. You can even propagate them easily through cuttings. The plants grow full to partial sun and well-drained soil, irrespective of the pH level.
The plants need regular watering in the first year of watering, which slowly reduces to 1 inch per month when there is less rainfall. Once the plants have an established root system, they do not require watering. Furthermore, catmints do not require heavy feeding- a handful of compost in the first year of planting is sufficient.
Catmints gracefully climb on walls and nearby walkways. Most of the time, the plants will bloom again if pruned during the initial growth stages, but it is best to prune them again for a tidy look.
Conclusion
Kaleidoscope abelias can be quite boring to look at alone. If you are growing abelias, the right companion plants will make its presence more prominent.
Whichever plant to choose to go with, always remember the following points from the article above:
- Maiden grass is a good choice if you want to add a playful touch to your kaleidoscope abelias.
- Japanese pachysandra makes a great ground-covering plant, adding dimension to your space.
- For a pop of color, go for lily of the Nile or catmint.
After learning about these plants, which one do you think would enhance your kaleidoscope the best?
References
- https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP405
- https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pittosporum/growing-guide
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