Abelia x Grandiflora "Francis Mason" Standard 10Liter

Botanical Name: Abelia × grandiflora ‘Francis Mason’
Common Names: Francis Mason Abelia, Golden Abelia, Variegated Abelia, Glossy Abelia

📌 Product Description

Abelia × grandiflora ‘Francis Mason’ is a beautiful evergreen to semi-evergreen ornamental shrub grown for its glowing golden-yellow foliage and neat, arching growth habit. The leaves are bright yellow to lime-gold, often edged or flushed with soft green, creating year-round colour and contrast in the garden.

This decorative abelia is prized not only for its foliage but also for its small, lightly fragrant pale pink to white flowers that appear over the warmer months, attracting pollinators and adding further charm. It is an excellent choice for borders, low hedges, mixed beds, containers, and feature planting where bright foliage is needed to lift the landscape.

Compact, colourful, and easy to grow, Abelia × grandiflora ‘Francis Mason’ is ideal for adding warm foliage tones, structure, and long-lasting interest to South African gardens.

📏 Size When Fully Grown

Height: 1–1.5 m
Spread: 1–1.5 m
Growth Habit: Compact, rounded to arching evergreen shrub
Growth Rate: Moderate

🌱 Best Growing Conditions

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-draining, moderately fertile soil
Water:
• Water regularly during establishment
• Moderately drought tolerant once established
• Perform best with occasional deep watering during hot dry periods
• Avoid permanently waterlogged soil

Feeding: Apply compost in spring and use a balanced slow-release fertiliser if needed to encourage healthy foliage and flowering.

Maintenance:
• Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape
• Remove dead or untidy growth as needed
• Can be clipped for a neat low hedge
• Very low maintenance once established

🌦️ Planting & Growing Season (South Africa)

Best Planting Time: Spring and autumn
Active Growth: Spring to autumn
Flowering Time: Summer to autumn
Climate Suitability: Suitable for most South African regions
Frost Tolerance: Tolerates light frost once established
Wind Tolerance: Good in sheltered to moderately exposed positions

🌼 Additional Benefits

• Bright golden foliage
• Small fragrant flowers
• Attracts pollinators
• Excellent low hedge or border shrub
• Low maintenance and versatile

🌿 Ideal Uses

✔ Low hedges
✔ Mixed shrub borders
✔ Feature foliage planting
✔ Patio containers
✔ Formal and informal garden designs