Abelia 'Francis Mason' – Golden Variegated Shrub (2L Pot)

A golden leaved abelia that flowers on and on from midsummer into autumn, with a light honey scent.

'Francis Mason' is grown for its foliage as much as for its flowers. The small, glossy leaves are edged and splashed with gold, and they hold that colour on a rounded, arching plant of roughly 1m to 2m tall and wide. From midsummer the arching stems carry small tubular flowers that keep coming into the autumn, and bees work them all day.

Give it a sunny or lightly shaded spot in soil that drains freely, either in a border or in a large pot by the house. It is hardy in most of Britain given a sunny, sheltered position, though a hard winter can cut it back in a cold or exposed garden. It is semi evergreen rather than truly evergreen: it holds its leaves through a mild winter and drops them in a cold one. A light prune after flowering keeps the shape.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Abelia, glossy abelia
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: About 1m to 2m tall and 1m to 2m wide
• Growth Habit: Rounded, arching, fountain shaped shrub
• Perfect For: Sunny borders, low informal hedging, courtyards and large containers
• Foliage: Small, glossy leaves, green with golden variegation. Semi evergreen.
• Flowering Time: Midsummer to autumn
• Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade. Grows well in a large container.
• Soil Type: Moist but well drained. It copes with a range of soils.
• Hardiness: Hardy in most of Britain in a sunny, sheltered spot. A hard winter can cut it back in a cold or exposed garden.
• Maintenance: Low. Light prune after flowering to keep its shape.
• Seasonal Interest: Summer and autumn
• Type: Semi evergreen flowering shrub