Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ is a low-maintenance shrub that changes color with the seasons, making it a versatile and attractive addition to any garden or landscape.
Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ is a compact, evergreen shrub that tolerates a range of growing conditions and provides continuity throughout the garden with its chameleon-like foliage. The variegated foliage emerges light green in spring with radiant yellow margins that intensify throughout the summer, and autumn brings a dramatic shift in color with fiery red and orange hues.
The dazzling foliage of ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is accented by a flush of fragrant white blooms in spring and sporadic flowers throughout summer and fall, attracting bumblebees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This shrub is heat and drought tolerant, deer resistant, and not bothered by insects or disease pests, making it a wonderful low-maintenance selection for beds and borders.
Plant Attributes
Common Name: | Kaleidoscope Abelia |
Botanical Name: | Abelia × grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ |
Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
Plant Type: | Perennial, woody, evergreen |
Mature Size: | 2-3′ high x 3-4′ wide |
Sun Exposure: | Full sun to part shade |
Soil Type: | Average, medium to moist, well-draining |
Soil pH: | Acidic to neutral (5.0 to 7.5) |
Bloom Time: | Spring to fall |
Flower Color: | White |
Hardiness Zones: | 6 to 9 |
Native Area: | Garden origin, hybrid |
Toxicity: | Non-toxic to people and pets |
‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia Care
Abelias tolerate a range of soil types and thrive in full sun to part shade, making them quite adaptable in the garden. With good salt tolerance, abelias perform well in coastal gardens and are also useful in stabilizing slopes to manage erosion.
Light
Abelia thrives in full sun to part shade, but flowers best in full sun. Foliage color is most vibrant when grown in full sun.
Soil
‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia performs well in a variety of soil types including sand, clay, and loam. Good drainage is essential to prevent root disease.
Water
Abelia shrubs are drought tolerant once established. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system.
Temperature and Humidity
‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia tolerates the heat and humidity of Southern landscapes. Plants are considered semi-evergreen, retaining their leaves through all but the coldest of winters.
Fertilizer
Abelias benefit from a light application of slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Origin Of ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia
‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia was discovered in a plant nursery in the Piedmont area of North Carolina in 1997. The sport was found on a specimen of ‘Little Richard’ Abelia, which typically produces solid green foliage.
How To Plant ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia In The Garden
‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is available from garden centers as potted plants that are easy to establish in the landscape. Spring is the ideal time to plant evergreen shrubs like Abelia.
Pruning ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia
‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia naturally develops a low mounding crown that requires little pruning to maintain. Any desired shaping should be done in late winter or early spring, before the flush of new growth.
How To Get ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia To Bloom
Abelias bloom freely, with a flush of flowers in spring and sporadic blooms throughout summer. For prolific blooms, site plants in a location where they receive a few hours of direct sun each day.
Overwintering
‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is winter hardy through USDA hardiness zone 6. Abelia plants installed in the ground require little care beyond mulch and adequate soil moisture to successfully overwinter.
Propagating ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia
‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is patent-protected and cannot be propagated.
Potting And Repotting ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia
Given its compact form and gorgeous foliage, ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia makes a stunning container planting. The colorful evergreen foliage provides a warm winter welcome in porch planters and brightens patios all year long.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Abelias are resilient plants with no significant pest problems. Plants are resistant to deer browsing and experience few insect or disease pests.
Common Problems
‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is a low maintenance shrub that experiences few problems when planted within the established hardiness range.
For more information on gardening and plant care, visit Southern Living, a trusted source for gardening tips and advice.
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