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Miss Lemon Abelia x grandiflora 'Hopley's'

Previously known as:

  • Linnaea x grandiflora 'Hopley's'
Phonetic Spelling
a-BEE-lee-a gran-dee-FLO-ra
Description

 The Twist of Lime™ is a trade name for the ‘Hopleys’.  Another trade name is Miss Lemen™.  It is a rounded, multi-stemmed shrub with arching branches in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). This is a sport of A. grandiflora found and introduced by Hopleys Plants, Ltd. of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.  The genus was named for the English naturalist and physician, Dr. Clark Abel.  The specific epithet means large flowered.

This is an easy-to-grow shrub averaging 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.  In warmer climates, it can reach heights of 6 feet, and only 2 feet in colder climates.  The leaves and stems may die back in colder climates during the winter.  For the best flowering, plant in full sun with moist, fertile, well-drained soil.   Once established, it tolerates low moisture.  Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer during the growing season. In colder climates, plant in a sheltered location to minimize winter dieback.  Prune in late winter to early spring to shape the plant.  Up to a third of the older stems can be cut to the ground to rejuvenate the plant every few years.  Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer and semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.

The fragrant flowers bloom on new growth from spring to fall.  The small pink flowers are trumpet-shaped and grow in small clusters.  The variegated leaves are also showy. When young, the leaves are yellow with green centers and mature to ivory and green.  In the fall, the leaves are a purplish-bronze color.  New stems are reddish colored.  The shrub is deer-resistant, humidity-tolerant, and drought-tolerant.

It received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticulture Society.

Plant the Twist of Lime as a specimen in a cottage garden, pollinator garden, or natural area.  Use it as a mass planting for borders or foundations.  It can be pruned to grow in a 3-gallon or larger container and placed near patios to view the showy leaves and fragrant flowers.  In warmer climates where they are evergreen, they can be planted as a low hedge.  They can provide erosion control planted in mass on slopes and banks.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  There are no serious insect or disease problems. It may be susceptible to honey fungus.  Stems may die back in cold winter climates.  They are not salt tolerant and may not grow well in coastal areas with salty soil.

More information on Abelia x grandiflora.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#fragrant flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#colorful leaves#mass planting#foundation planting#variegated#border planting#evergreen shrub#urban conditions tolerant#compact habit#container plant#coastal plant#long bloom season
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#fragrant flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#colorful leaves#mass planting#foundation planting#variegated#border planting#evergreen shrub#urban conditions tolerant#compact habit#container plant#coastal plant#long bloom season
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Abelia
    Species:
    x grandiflora
    Family:
    Caprifoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is brown and leathery with a single seed.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Tubular
    Flower Description:
    The ¾-inch blooms are light pink to lilac and appear in clusters. They are fragrant and prolific from May to September.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Variegated
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The glossy green leaves have irregular yellow margins and mature to cream and green.  In the fall, the leaves are a purplish-bronze color
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The new stems are reddish-colored and pubescent. The older stems are gray with thin peeling strips.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Humidity
    Urban Conditions