Poco Loco Abelia

Poco Loco Abelia

Poco Loco Abelia is a compact, colorful shrub that keeps changing throughout the growing season. Its foliage emerges in spring with vibrant yellow-orange tones before transitioning to soft green as the season progresses. Fresh new growth continues to stand out with pink coloring, creating layers of contrasting foliage on the same plant. This constantly changing color gives Poco Loco plenty of interest even when it is not in bloom.

Fragrant, light pink flowers appear in summer and cover the rounded plant with small tubular blooms. The flowers complement the pink-red new growth while providing a valuable food source for hummingbirds and butterflies. Blooming on new wood, Poco Loco can continue flowering through the summer and does not require old stems to survive winter in order to produce its flower display.

Growing just 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, Poco Loco is an excellent choice when a smaller shrub is needed. Its naturally rounded habit stays tidy without requiring regular pruning, making it useful in the front of a border, among perennial plantings, along an edge, or in a container. Its compact size also makes it easier to incorporate into smaller gardens where full-size shrubs would quickly outgrow their space.

Care Instructions:

Planting: Plant in full sun to partial sun with good air circulation. Provide enough room for the mature 2 to 3 foot height and spread.
Soil: Adaptable to a variety of well-drained soils, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. Avoid areas that remain consistently waterlogged.
Watering: Provide regular moisture while establishing. Once established, Poco Loco is drought tolerant, but supplemental water during prolonged heat or drought will support better growth and flowering.
Fertilizing: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins. Avoid excessive fertilization, which can encourage unnecessary leafy growth.
Pruning: Little to no routine pruning is necessary. If shaping is needed, prune in early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead or damaged branches as needed.
Spacing: Space plants approximately 2 to 3 feet apart for individual specimens and allow additional room if a more open appearance is desired.
Maintenance: Apply mulch around the root zone to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures. Remove dead or damaged growth as needed and prune only to maintain shape or size.

Poco Loco performs well in full sun to partial sun and is adaptable to a range of soil conditions. It is heat tolerant, drought tolerant once established, and deer resistant, giving gardeners a colorful shrub that can handle challenging conditions without demanding extensive maintenance. In colder areas, it may lose some or all of its foliage during winter, while warmer climates can retain foliage for a longer period.

Landscape Solutions:

• Works well in containers when a gardener wants a flowering shrub without committing to a full-size landscape plant.
• Provides a deer-resistant shrub for landscapes where browsing limits other flowering shrub choices.
• Offers a drought-tolerant option for established landscapes that need plants capable of handling periods of dry weather.
• Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies with fragrant summer flowers.
• Provides an easy-care alternative for gardeners who want a rounded shrub without frequent pruning.