This Resilient Shrub Thrives Undisturbed by Deer and Insects

Boasting glowing leaves and striking crimson branches, this stunning abelia exudes elegance and charm.

Abelias are
graceful shrubs
These plants are ideal for broader application in landscaping as they adapt well to various lighting situations, effortlessly connecting bright and shadowy parts of your outdoor space to produce cohesive planting designs. The Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia from the Southern Living Plant Collection stands out as an exceptional evergreen option, featuring attractive variegated leaves against striking red stems. Fresh growth starts off vividly green with golden edges before maturing into a softer silver-green paired with cream tones. Its fragrant white tube-like flowers enhance its appeal, filling the garden with their sweet scent throughout late spring until autumn.

The Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia is a robust but compact plant featuring a dense canopy. It needs minimal trimming to keep its neat, spherical form.
low-maintenance plant
is unaffected by deer, insects, or pest diseases. The plants can withstand heat and
drought tolerant
Once established, this plant becomes an excellent addition to water-efficient gardens. The stunning leaves of Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia serve as a beautiful highlight for foundation plantings and pots, and create a striking effect when used en masse in combined borders.

Plant Attributes

Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia Care

Abelias are versatile plants. They endure various soil conditions and flourish in both full sunlight and partial shade. This makes them ideal for consistent use throughout landscaping designs, particularly in areas with fluctuating lighting. Due to their robust resistance to salts, these plants serve as excellent options for seaside gardens. Additionally, they help control erosion on hillsides or enhance the aesthetics around buildings and at edges of property borders. Incorporate them into your garden design.
pollinator and butterfly plantings
And cottage gardens. Thanks to its compact size, Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia is equally well-suited for use as a container plant.

Light

Abelia grows well in full sunlight to partial shade, with optimal flowering occurring in full sunlight.

Soil

Abelias thrive well in a
variety of soil types
Including materials like sand, clay, and loam, provided they offer proper drainage to avoid root diseases. For optimal growth, plants thrive in damp soil rich in organic substances. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is ideal for cultivating abelias.

Water

The Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia is drought-tolerant after establishment and typically requires minimal watering, which makes it an excellent choice for water-efficient gardens. Offer additional irrigation during extended dry periods. Apply mulch around the base to help retain soil moisture.

Temperature and Humidity

The Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia was developed to withstand intense heat and moisture. These plants can endure temperatures as low as -10°F. The leaves usually stay green year-round within suitable growing areas; however, extremely cold weather in the more frigid parts of its habitat might lead to leaf loss.

Fertilizer

Abelias require minimal feeding. In early spring, distribute a slow-release fertilizer across the entire root area.

Types Of Suntastic™ Abelia

The Suntastic™ Abelia collection was developed in Australia aiming to create enhanced cultivars with strong resistance to high temperatures and moisture. These plants feature petite leaves growing on lush, thick crowns. Compared to numerous other abelias, they boast a more compact form, which increases their adaptability in various landscaping designs. The vibrant hues and robust leaf density remain consistent all year round. There are three vividly colored variants offered, every one displaying steady variegation, an even growth pattern, along with creamy-white flowers during summertime.

• SUNTASTIC® ‘Radiance,’ a variant of the well-known ‘Kaleidoscope,’ boasts a more polished look. The yellow variegation gradually turns into cream against silver-toned leaves. The plant’s foliage sits atop striking red stems, providing a vivid contrast to the leaf color.

• SUNTASTIC® ‘Pink’ features blush pink variegation contrasting with medium green foliage, frequently accompanied by a creamy texture.

  The edge of the leaf is yellow. It also features crimson-colored stems. The intensity of the foliage color peaks during the winter season.

• SUNTASTIC® ‘Peach’ features emerging leaves with a combination of yellow and green marbling. During the colder winter season, this variegation shifts to a warm peach hue, contrasting beautifully with the vibrant red stems.

How to Grow Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia in Your Garden

The Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia can be obtained from garden centers as potted specimens that readily adapt to landscaping. It’s best to plant these evergreen shrubs in spring; nevertheless, you may also install them in autumn provided they get sufficient watering throughout the colder season. Place the plants about three feet apart when using them en masse along edges or within flowerbeds, or to form a short fence. If cultivating Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia as standalone features, allow extra room between each specimen.

Water the water plants thoroughly before transplanting them to ensure their roots do not dry out throughout the transplantation procedure.

Excavate a planting hole that is 2 to 3 times broader than the root ball. Doing this enables you to distribute the roots more easily.

Carefully take the Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia out of its container and untangle the roots.

Position the plants at the same height as or just above the level of the adjacent soil.

Stuff the planting hole with the identical soil you excavated, lightly compacting it with your hand.

Thoroughly water the plants to settle the soil, and add additional water as necessary.

Place 1 to 2 inches of mulch over the planted area within the hole, ensuring you leave an unmulched gap around the plant stem.

Pruning Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia

The Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia inherently develops a consistent canopy that needs minimal trimming. In contrast to other varieties of abelias, which often grow water sprouts (vigorous vertical branches), this particular cultivar seldom generates such unruly stems, leading to a neat mound-like shape. If any limbs become damaged or break, remove them as soon as they’re noticed. You can reshape the plant if necessary during early spring, prior to the emergence of the initial burst of new foliage.

How to Achieve Radiant Blooms with the Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia Plant

Abelias reliably blossom, yet their blooming may diminish with insufficient sunlight. Position these plants somewhere they get several hours of direct sunshine daily. An excess of nitrogen-rich fertilizers might encourage foliage over blooms. Instead, since abelias have modest feeding needs, apply a slow-release fertilizer once every spring. Additionally, remember that abelias set blossoms on fresh shoots; pruning them incorrectly could eliminate emerging flower buds.

Overwintering

The Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia can withstand winters down to USDA hardiness zone 6. To help maintain soil temperature and conserve moisture during the cold months, apply mulch around the plants. However, if these shrubs are cultivated in pots, their root systems receive less insulation from frost compared to those planted directly in the ground. Therefore, potted abelias grown in Zone 7 climates and cooler areas will need extra care. For added protection, consider placing container-grown specimens into the earth for the duration of the winter season.

Propagating Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia

The Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia is patented and cannot be reproduced.

Planting and Replanting Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia

Thanks to its small stature and tidy growth pattern, Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia serves as an excellent choice for potted plants. Its evergreen leaves add vibrant hues during colder months, enhancing decks and terraces. If your area experiences subzero temperatures, opt for a weather-resistant planter. Choose pots with ample drain holes and fill them with premium potting compost that ensures proper water flow. Adjust the container’s dimensions based on the size of the root system; aim for enough space for some expansion without providing excessive volume. Every couple of years, upgrade this abelia to bigger containers filled with new soil. Move up just one or two pot sizes from what it currently occupies when transplanting.

Container-raised Suntastic™ ‘Radiance’ Abelia might require additional shielding during colder months. Relocate their pots to sheltered areas where they won’t be exposed to harsh, icy breezes. These plants can withstand container life down to USDA Hardiness Zone 8 without issue. However, remember that pot-bound specimens typically lose moisture more quickly compared to those planted directly into the earth. Ensure you thoroughly hydrate them whenever the top couple of inches feel dry upon inspection. As for feeding your potted abelias, follow the same fertilizing routine used for those established in the soil.

Frequent Insects & Plant Ailments

Abelias are robust plants that rarely face issues with pests. These plants generally resist being eaten by deer and seldom encounter insects or diseases as threats. While abelias may occasionally be affected by aphids, this problem can typically be resolved by rinsing off these pests using a strong jet of water. It’s important to avoid giving them too much water since excessive moisture could result in root rot.

Common Problems

Abelia is a low-maintenance shrub that typically encounters minimal issues when appropriately placed within your garden layout. During extremely cold periods at the limits of its hardiness range, these plants might suffer from winter damage under particularly severe conditions; however, they usually bounce back robustly as fresh shoots emerge. Should you observe wilting or yellowing leaves due to overwatering or underwatering, ensure you check the soil’s wetness level and modify watering practices suitably.

Related:
This particular reblooming hydrangea variety offers vivid color and striking texture throughout the entire season.

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