Q: I would like to plant a flowering shrub that also has colorful foliage. The area is in a sunny spot and southern exposure.

A: Consider named varieties of common abelia, Abelia x grandiflora. Typically this shrub grows to ten feet tall. It has small, glossy green leaves and blooms May – October. ‘Edward Goucher’ is more compact. Variegated-leaved hybrids include ‘Canyon Creek’, ‘Mardi Gras’, ‘Kaleidoscope’ and several others. These are usually small in stature but retain the long-blooming characteristic.