Southern Living Plant Collection
Miss Lemon Abelia
Best colorful shrub for effortless landscape enhancement.
The Miss Lemon™ Abelia from the Southern Living Plant Collection offers stunning variegated foliage with bright ivory and emerald green hues that mature over time. It produces delicate light pink flowers throughout the summer and into autumn. This Abelia bush thrives in moist, well-drained garden soil and can be planted in containers or landscapes. It prefers full sun to part shade conditions. Note that Abelia plants can sometimes ship with a loose rootball due to shipping vibrations.
$19.99
More Abelia Options
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
925
/ 3331
#925 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-49%
Below average
Scientific Name
Abelia grandiflora Hybrid
/ Abelia grandiflora Hybrid
Who it's for
- Homeowners desiring year-round garden interest.
- Busy individuals seeking a beautiful, easy-to-grow plant.
- Nature lovers wanting to support local ecosystems.
Who should skip it
- Gardeners with predominantly shady garden spots.
- Enthusiasts prioritizing large, showy blooms.
- Hands-off gardeners who prefer zero maintenance.
Performance breakdown
Foliage Visual Impact
Variegated ivory and emerald leaves provide year-round color interest.
Bloom Duration
Consistent flowering from summer through autumn keeps the garden vibrant.
Maintenance Ease
Low-effort shrub that thrives with minimal pruning and care.
Environmental Resilience
Heat and drought tolerance make this a reliable landscape performer.
Wildlife Attraction
Reliably draws birds and butterflies to your outdoor space.
Planting Versatility
Compact size adapts perfectly to both containers and garden borders.
Key Specs
Scientific Name
Abelia grandiflora Hybrid
Hardiness Zone
6, 7, 8, 9
Sun Exposure
Full Sun to Part Shade
Evergreen or Deciduous
Evergreen
Features
Attracts Birds / Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Flowering, Heat Tolerant, Variegated, Winter / Fall Foliage Color
Feature Color
Green, Yellow
Uses
Accent, Border, Container, Mass Planting
Water Needs
Medium
Features
- Stunning variegated foliage with ivory and emerald green hues
- Blooms with delicate light pink flowers all summer through autumn
- Drought tolerant once established
- Deer resistant
- Attracts pollinators like birds and butterflies
- Suitable for containers and landscapes
- Low maintenance requirements
- Heat tolerant
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Miss Lemon Abelia for its remarkable hardiness and vibrant, variegated foliage. Many reviewers highlight its exceptional ease of care, noting how well it thrives in various conditions with minimal effort. Its ability to maintain a beautiful appearance throughout the seasons, even in challenging climates, is a recurring positive theme. Gardeners appreciate its reliable performance and the bright, cheerful aesthetic it adds to their landscapes, making it a favored choice for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts seeking dependable beauty.
Know before you buy
Yes, this variety is evergreen. You can expect it to retain its foliage year-round, though the colors may shift slightly depending on your local climate.
Since the Miss Lemon Abelia reaches a mature spread of about 4 feet, you should space them at least 3 to 4 feet apart, measured from the center of each plant, to allow for proper airflow and growth.
While no plant is completely deer-proof, the Miss Lemon Abelia is considered deer resistant. It is generally not a preferred food source for deer, making it a reliable choice for gardens where wildlife pressure is a concern.
Absolutely. Its compact size and variegated foliage make it an excellent candidate for containers. Just ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes and use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix.
While the plant is drought-tolerant once established, it requires medium water needs during its first year. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged until the root system is fully developed.
This is a low-maintenance shrub that typically maintains a tidy, mounded habit on its own. You can lightly prune it in late winter or early spring if you want to encourage denser growth or manage its size.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$20