Hopley's Twist of Lime Abelia

The Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ Abelia has a mounding habit, covered in small, glossy green, gold and grayish variegated foliage. Its foliage takes on a brilliant hue of burgundy in fall, adding even more color to a dull, winter landscape. At maturity, it reaches anywhere from 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, making it useful wherever a low-growing groundcover or shrub fits well. When grown in ideal conditions, you can expect Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ Abelia to live around 30 years.

Growing Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ Abelia

Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ has a compact growth habit and moderate growth rate. Regardless of where you live within its hardiness range, it performs as an evergreen. However, those living within the coldest areas of its range of hardiness should plant it in a protected site and protect the root system during winter with a layer of mulch. If you have it growing in a container, you can also bring the container into a protected location. This Abelia stands up well to growing in urban locations.

When it comes to flowering, Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ Abelia blooms on new wood, so it is necessary to give it a light trimming in early spring so you get blossoms develop later on. If it looks like some of the branches became damaged during winter, wait until early spring to prune off the damaged areas. Sometimes the damaged looking wood is still alive and once the warm weather of spring arrives, it will bounce back to life and produce new leaves. The last thing you want to do is transfer diseases and pests to your Abelia, so sterilize your pruning tool’s blades before your start trimming. This is as easy as wiping them off with rubbing alcohol.

Another great attribute of Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ Abelia is that it is not bothered by any major pest or disease problems. However, if it is planted in soil that is continuously soggy it can develop root rot. Give it a feeding in spring and summer and it is good to go. With its low-maintenance requirements, ease of growth and care, this Abelia is a perfect choice for the lazy gardener or for those who feel they kill everything they touch. You cannot go wrong with Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ Abelia.

Uses on Your Property

With its low-growing and robust blooming habit, as well as year-round colorful foliage, you have a wealth of suitable uses for Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ Abelia within the landscape. Due to its small size, it is even suitable to grow in containers or above ground planter boxes. Just make sure that the container has bottom drain holes to prevent any problems with rot.

Another attribute is that it is deer-resistant, but also makes a great addition to pollinator or wildlife gardens as the flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. It works well used as a groundcover, used as a border lining flowerbeds or walkways through the garden, used in mass plantings where its elaborate color is sure to gain attention, or as a low-growing hedge. With its scented flowers, it also is a welcome addition to a scent garden.

With its bright and cheery variegated foliage, Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ Abelia makes a good specimen plant. It also works well as an understory planting, used around foundations or planted near an entranceway or porch where its colorful foliage and fragrant flowers will create eye-catching appeal. As long as it isn’t planted in soggy conditions, it also is suitable used around ponds or water features in the landscape. This Abelia makes an attractive addition almost anywhere you want to use it.

Planting Location

When selecting an appropriate location to plant your Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ Abelia, always plant in a location with its preferred light conditions of full sun to partial shade. In addition, if you are planting multiple plants, consider their mature width and give adequate space between them. You want to make sure there is sufficient air circulation between them, which cuts down on potential disease problems.

Although Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ Abelia grows in a wide range of well-drained soil types, it will perform best in an organically rich soil kept moist, not soggy, with regular water applications. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, but especially during its first season of growth, you should water deeply on a regular basis.

History and Origins of the Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ Abelia

The genus of Abelia honors Dr. Clarke Abel, who was a naturalist and physician and was part of a British expedition to China in 1817, collecting various plants and seeds. Hopley’s Twist of Lime™ Abelia is an offspring from Abelia x grandiflora, which is a cross between Abelia x chinensis and Abelia uniflora, as well as a member of the honeysuckle family. Garden Debut® trademarked it. Rest assured, when you purchase our Hopley’s Twist of Lime® Abelia, you are receiving carefully grown plants in containers that have been grown in a nursery environment with the upmost care. They are sure to thrive in your landscape for years to come.