Dwarf Glossy Abelia - Abelia grandiflora 'Nana'

Abelia grandiflora 'Nana' has earned its place as one of the most widely planted hedging and border shrubs in Australian gardens, and for good reason. It is fast growing, adaptable to virtually any soil type, highly drought tolerant, and produces months of continuous flowering from Spring right through to Autumn. Few shrubs deliver this combination of performance, toughness, and year-round interest with so little maintenance.

The foliage display alone makes 'Nana' worth growing. New growth emerges in a warm bronze to copper tone that gradually matures to a rich, glossy deep green, creating a two-tone effect across the plant that adds texture and depth to borders and hedges throughout the growing season. From Spring, small white to pale pink flowers appear in abundance along the arching branches and continue for months, attracting bees and other pollinators throughout the warmer season.

Compact and naturally bun shaped, 'Nana' reaches approximately 1m tall and wide and requires minimal pruning to maintain a tidy form. It suits low hedges, mass plantings, borders, under-tree planting, and large containers, and performs equally well in full sun or semi-shade across Melbourne's variable climate.   

Key Features:

• Soil: Highly adaptable to virtually any soil type including clay, loam, and sandy soils. One of the most soil-tolerant hedging shrubs available for Melbourne gardens. Good drainage is preferred but not essential.
• Light: Full sun to semi-shade. Best bronze new growth colour and most prolific flowering in full sun. Tolerates semi-shade well, making it suitable for under-tree planting, east-facing aspects, and positions with morning sun and afternoon shade across Melbourne.
• Watering: Water regularly during the first summer of establishment. Once established, 'Nana' is highly drought tolerant and requires only occasional deep watering during Melbourne's extended dry periods. One of the lowest water hedging shrubs available.
• Fertiliser: Apply a slow-release fertiliser for shrubs or general garden use in Spring. A single annual application is sufficient. Avoid over-fertilising as this can promote excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers. A light liquid feed in early Spring can help kick-start the season.
• Maintenance: Low. Trim lightly after the main Spring flowering flush to maintain a compact, tidy shape and encourage fresh new growth and continued flowering through Summer and Autumn. For a formal clipped hedge, trim two to three times per year. Remove any dead or damaged stems as needed. Mulch well year-round. Watch for black spot in humid conditions and treat with a copper-based fungicide if detected.
• Flowering: Flowers continuously from Spring through Summer and into Autumn, producing a succession of small white to pale pink tubular flowers along the arching branches. One of the longest flowering seasons of any hedging shrub in Melbourne. The flowers attract bees and other pollinators throughout the warmer months.

'Nana' is one of the best hedging shrubs for Melbourne because it combines fast growth, drought tolerance, long flowering, and adaptability to virtually any soil or light condition. For the densest, most compact hedge, plant at 50 to 60cm spacing and trim lightly two to three times per year. The key to keeping it looking its best is regular light trimming rather than occasional hard pruning, little and often produces a tighter, more floriferous result than cutting back hard once a year.

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