Abelia x grandiflora 'Francis Mason' (v)

Common name: Abelia 'Francis Mason'

Description: Abelia 'Francis Mason' is a charming semi-evergreen shrub prized for its year-round foliage interest and delicate summer flowers. The arching stems carry small, glossy leaves with bright golden-yellow margins that provide a warm, luminous quality in the garden even when the plant is not in flower. From midsummer through to autumn, the plant produces a profusion of small, tubular pale pink to white flowers with a light, sweet fragrance — a combination that makes it one of the most ornamentally versatile small shrubs available. Its compact, arching habit suits borders, containers, and informal hedging equally well.

Other benefits: year-round golden variegated foliage; very long flowering season from July to October; compact and well-behaved habit; suitable for containers

Wildlife attraction: bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects — the long flowering season makes it a particularly valuable late-season nectar source

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 1.2m x 1.5m

Position: full sun to partial shade; best foliage colour achieved in good light; sheltered from cold drying winds

Soil pH: slightly acid to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0); well-drained, moderately fertile soil

Moisture: moderate watering required; drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged conditions

Winter hardiness: hardy to approximately -10°C; may lose some leaves in a hard winter but typically recovers well from the base in spring