Twist of Lime Abelia x grandiflora 'Hopley's'

 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.