In the Garden
Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener
A truly great garden must appeal to all five senses. The sense of hearing is probably the one least associated with gardening. Many times, we resort to artificial means to add sound. We hang wind chimes or set up a fountain to provide the sound of water splashing. However, if we provide for the needs of nature’s musicians, they will come. A recent visitor to Sandhill Gardens marveled at the sound of birds, frogs and insects. Some creature is providing sound at almost any time of day or night.
While the birds are still singing in the mornings, a major source of sound in the late summer garden is the hum of hummingbird wings and the buzz of bees. With the intense heat recently, I have taken many breaks when gardening, and during those respites in the shade, I have enjoyed watching the ruby-throated hummingbirds flittering from flower to flower, providing a constant percussion. The bees have also been busy, preparing for the coming of winter.
While annual and perennial flowers provide feeding stations for the hummingbirds and bees, at this time of the year, a couple of shrubs are major sources of nectar. Abelia and caryopteris are not native shrubs, but the constant presence of pollinators on their flowers in late summer and fall convince me that they deserve a spot in my landscape. Neither has become invasive in Indiana.
Abelia provides interest in all seasons. There are about 30 species in the genus, many of which are at least semi-evergreen. Even when not in bloom, the foliage is attractive and colorful. The one at Sandhill Gardens has leaves that are green with accents of yellow, orange, bronze and burgundy. The colors change with the season, becoming darker in the winter. However, it is the tubular flowers that attract the bees and hummingbirds. Abelia starts to flower in late spring, and, unlike most shrubs, continues to set new blooms into fall. The buds are much darker than the open blossoms. Since there are buds and blooms present together, the clusters take on a variegated appearance when viewed from afar. My abelia has pink blooms, but there are species with white and yellow blossoms. The black spruce and two large female blue hollies sited behind the abelia serve to make the shrub really stand out. The bloom clusters make great fillers in bouquets, and will last several days as a cut flower.
The blue of caryopteris makes a good foil for the pink abelia. Commonly known as blue beard, this late summer bloomer also keeps blooming into late fall. The steely blue is the color of the species, but there are cultivars with purple and white flowers. The airy flower clusters are a great source of nectar, attracting native bees as well as honey bees.
Both of these shrubs are low-maintenance plants, preferring sunny locations, but appreciating some shade in the hot afternoon. Once established, they are very drought tolerant. Neither of them has received any supplemental watering this summer, yet both are faring very well, despite the lack of rain. They have few pest and disease problems and do not require a lot of pruning to keep them in shape. If desired, the caryopteris may be cut to the ground in late winter and it will still grow to be a large shrub by late summer.
Both of these shrubs may be propagated from cuttings or from seeds. However, to ensure that they are true to the parent plant, it is better to use the cuttings. Abelias may be produced from hardwood cuttings in the fall or from softwood cuttings in the spring. Softwood cuttings root more easily, but plants produced from hardwood cuttings tend to be more hardy. Caryopteris cuttings root easily and may be taken any time during the growing season. Come out to the open garden at Sandhill Gardens on September 28 and take a cutting to grow you own shrubs.