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Flowering ornamental shrubs that require little to no effort are a prized possession of both homeowners and landscapers. One underutilized and underappreciated flowering shrub is the abelia.
Abelia is an evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub in the honeysuckle family. It is native to eastern Asia and southern North America with a few different species and hybrids. Commonly known as glossy abelia, its Latin name is Linnaea x grandiflora; it was previously known as Abelia x grandiflora.
Abelia has been described as a tough plant. One horticulturist and ornamental plant breeder from the University of Georgia, Carol Robacker, said, “Around here, we call abelia the gas station plant. You could plant it beside a gas station surrounded by asphalt and forget about it, and it would still survive and thrive.”
Abelia is both tough and beautiful. Not only does it add beautiful foliage and color, but many of the cultivars are also fragrant. Abelia has been used in gardens throughout the United States. It grows in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. The newer selections are more compact and are profuse bloomers. This hardy shrub is both drought and erosion tolerant.
Depending on the cultivar, it can grow to 2 to 8 feet tall with a similar spread. There also are dwarf varieties. The new growth and fall foliage are reddish-bronze, and there are even gold-leaved and variegated varieties available.
One unique feature of the abelia is its growth habit: arching, open branches that cascade from the center of the plant. If you prefer a uniform look, prune and shape your abelia in late winter to early spring before new growth appears.
Blooms form on new wood in spring. They are tubular or bell-shaped in a variety of colors, growing in clusters at the ends of branches. Abelia continue blooming into the fall and attract all sorts of pollinators.
Plant in cooler months from fall to spring in full sun for the most flower production. Abelia does well in part sun as well. Abelia prefers slightly acidic soil but is tolerant of a variety of soil types. Once established, this shrub is extremely heat and drought tolerant, making it an excellent selection for Louisiana.
Plants do not require fertilizer but will benefit from a spring application of organic, nutrient-rich compost or a slow-release, general-purpose granular application.
Several cultivars offer a variety of flower and foliage colors and sizes. Some examples of the traditional glossy abelia (L. x grandiflora) cultivars are Canyon Creek, a taller variety with copper-pink leaves and light rose pink flowers with red stems. Rose Creek has pink-purple leaves through summer and clusters of white, tube-shaped flowers that are fragrant from May to winter. Both are tough, have a nice fall foliage color change, have little to no pest or disease issues and are great as a foundation shrub selection, hedge or screen.
Then there are the Mexican abelias, of which there are two types to choose from: the A. Edward Goucher or the A. floribunda. The A. Edward Goucher cultivar is an evergreen to semi-evergreen plant that looks similar to the A. grandiflora, but is less hardy, lacier and more compact.
Some of the fragrant abelias are Canyon Creek and Bronze Anniversary, both with pink flowers. Two of the fragrant, compact cultivars are Golden Fleece and Kaleidoscope. Kaleidoscope is unique in that it has red stems and yellow, white and green variegated leaves with white flowers.
Dwarf selections make great container plant selections. Little Richard is a compact plant growing to 3 feet tall and wide with abundant small white flowers. Kaleidoscope and Twist of Lime are also great dwarf cultivars. Peach Perfection is another great compact cultivar with tri-color foliage on stunning, red stems. New growth emerges bright orange, eventually turning to yellow and green as it matures. The smaller size of these selections makes them a great selection for growing in patio containers or massed together to make a short hedge.
Lastly are the Chinese abelias (Linnaea chinensis), commonly a parent of many popular hybrids. It has a profuse bloom and is semievergreen in warmer climates. Some varieties can grow 5 to 7 feet tall and wide. Flowers are typically white and pink with a nice fragrance.
For attractive foliage and months of blooms, add this workhorse of a shrub to your landscape. It is a great addition for pollinator interest and as a hedge or a foundation shrub planting. The abelia is no fuss but a true stunner.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have inherited four dogs from relatives. I was out of state for a month (my husband was home) when two of them were dognapped, driven 42 miles away and abandoned in the wilderness.
I suspected who had done it right away, but when I heard where the dogs had been abandoned, I knew without a doubt. We were lucky: One dog was microchipped, which eventually led him back to us. Both were cared for by rescue foundations until I could bring them home.
The person who did it is our son’s girlfriend — and the mother of his child. We are appalled and feel betrayed and sickened. My son admitted he knew she had done it. He showed remorse and gave a heartfelt apology. She has completely avoided us, with no admission or apology.
Should we press charges for stealing our dogs and abandoning them? They live on our property in a home we own, and pay nothing to live here. She and I used to be close. Now my husband and I no longer want to have her around. All trust is gone. Please advise me how to deal with this.
VICTIM IN OHIO

DEAR VICTIM: Did the dogs do anything to threaten the girlfriend or your grandchild? If the answer is yes, then those animals present a danger.
If the answer is no, tell your son you plan to press charges against his girlfriend for theft and animal cruelty, and you expect him to corroborate that she was the perpetrator. If he refuses, give them a date by which they should be off your property.

DEAR ABBY: I recently lost my precious husband of 43 years to COVID. Needless to say, this is a very painful time for me. Since his passing, my “best friend” has been blowing me off if we have plans, and no longer calling or texting at all. I don’t get it. I have done a lot for her during our friendship.
I’m experiencing the hardest time in my life, and I really need a friend. Now I’m not only grieving the loss of my husband, but I am also grieving a lost friendship and don’t understand why. Aside from confronting her, is there anything I can do?
LONELY AND SAD IN NEVADA

DEAR LONELY: Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your husband. That your friend is behaving the way she has been is regrettable. Before confronting her, please let me suggest some things you can do: Join a grief support group if you don’t already belong to one. Your doctor or religious adviser can direct you to one. Stay physically and mentally active, which will give you less time to brood.
After that, you can decide whether it’s in your interest to confront this person for her inability or unwillingness to be present for you when you needed her most.
Do NOT expect her to magically change if you do this, but it may provide you the opportunity to get what’s bothering you off your chest, which you are certainly entitled to do.
***
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Last year’s annual defense bill authorized the U.S. Army and Air Force to spend more money in Louisiana than in any other state, and the strides are expected to continue as we march further into 2022.

The massive investments represent an important win for the Bayou State, where defense spending played a notable role even before the current boon.

According to a report issued last year by Louisiana Economic Development, military-related expenditures generated $9.6 billion in economic activity across the
state in 2020, including 77,000 jobs and $348 million in state and local tax payments.

From the Pentagon Barracks and Bailey’s Dam to Fort Polk and Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana has a long and storied amilitary history.

Nearly every region of the state has a story to share. Louisiana State University, for example, started as a military school and the Kisatchie National Forest was once used for training during World War II.

Today, the military accounts for 3.75 percent of all jobs in Louisiana, or one out of every 26.

In an effort to build on that history, the House Armed Services Committee passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act last month with more than $222 million in direct funding for various Louisiana projects — including nuclear weapons storage at Barksdale Air Force Base.

Congressman Mike Johnson of Shreveport, who sits on the committee, said the tally balloons when you dive deeper into the legislation.

There’s at least another $1.6 billion in indirect funding for Louisiana through investments in aircraft and weapons that are key to the state’s military infrastructure.

“A lot of people rolled up their sleeves for Louisiana on this bill,” said Johnson.

“We’re working to increase the presence and importance of our major installations in the state — and we’re doing it with an eye to quality-of-life issues for our military service members.

"We want to put them in the best position possible to carry out their duties.”

The big plum, or $125 million, goes to Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier Parish for the construction of a weapons generation facility.

This builds on $40 million from last year’s bill and will enable Barksdale to once again become a nuclear weapons base.

“Currently, B-52s stationed at Barksdale must fly to North Dakota to be armed with nuclear weapons,” Johnson said.

“This presents national security and efficiency issues.”

The B-52 remains the backbone of the country’s bomber force and will remain so for years to come.

This year’s NDAA includes almost $690 million to upgrade the nation’s fleet, of which half is at Barksdale.

There’s likewise $929 million for the development of a new long-range standoff weapon for the planes.

At Fort Polk in Vernon Parish, the House bill has $61 million for a new joint operations center, to replace the present facility that was built in the early 1960s.

There was $55 million secured last year for the project, and it will ensure soldiers have the “most realistic training experience possible so they are fully prepared for combat,” the congressman said.

Fort Polk is also in line to receive $32 million for a new child development center.

Elsewhere in the House bill, there’s $1.65 million for a munitions administration facility in New Orleans, another $1.65 million for the planning and design of a
National Guard readiness center in Abbeville and $765,000 for an energy resilience program at Camp Beauregard.

In a move that took some committee members by surprise, Johnson attempted to attach an amendment to the bill that would have required Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to repeal the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for service members.

Should Austin have failed to delete the mandate, the amendment would have repealed his waiver to serve as secretary.

The amendment failed in a close 27-32 vote, but Johnson generated the conversation he wanted.

“There’s a rather lengthy list of things that have gone wrong under Secretary Austin’s tenure at the Department of Defense, starting with the Biden Administration’s catastrophic troop withdrawal from Afghanistan,” Johnson said.

“Perhaps nothing has been more damaging than the COVID vaccine requirement for service members which is forcing qualified people out of our armed forces and preventing qualified people from joining our armed forces.”

The bill now moves to the House floor, where a vote could be scheduled sometime this month. From there, attention will turn to the Senate bill, which will hopefully provide Louisiana with the same opportunities to build on an important history.

For more Louisiana political news, visit www. LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @ LaPoliticsNow.

May 23, 1950 — July 6, 2022
Richard “Rick” Jennings Ott, 72, a resident of Berwick, passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2022, peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Rick was born on May 23, 1950, in Cumberland, Maryland. He joined the Coast Guard after graduating high school and served four years of service before starting his career in the oil and gas industry in Louisiana until his retirement. He was a dedicated Mason and Past Master in his local Masonic lodge where he served in many areas during his years at the lodge.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Jennings Ott, Jr. and Eleanor Rowan Ott, and his sister, Sandra Jean James.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Patricia “Trish” Warren Ott of Berwick; two children, Brian J. Ott of Berwick, Amy Ott Lyons and husband Stephen of St. Gabriel, LA; two grandchildren, Hailey Ott and Declan Lyons; his beloved dog, Daisy Mae; numerous extended family members and dear friends who were loved like family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made in the form of charitable contributions in his name to the Masonic Lodge in Morgan City – Doric No. 87 F. & A.M., P.O. Box 1844, Morgan City, LA, 70381.

A memorial visitation will be Monday, July 11, 2022 at Twin City Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. A Masonic memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 11, 2022 at Twin City Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at a later date.