From golden yellow in spring to fiery red and orange in autumn, this compact Abelia brings dramatic, every-changing color to the garden.
Few shrubs are as versatile in the landscape as Abelia. These handsome evergreen shrubs tolerate a range of growing conditions, seamlessly transitioning between sunny beds and shady gardens to provide continuity throughout the garden. ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia from the Southern Living Plant Collection is a compact variety with chameleon-like foliage that changes with the seasons. The variegated foliage emerges light green in spring with radiant yellow margins that intensify throughout the summer. Autumn brings a dramatic shift in color, as fiery red and orange hues carry plants into winter. Bright red stems add to the plant’s striking coloration throughout the year.
The dazzling foliage of ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is accented by a flush of fragrant white blooms in spring and sporadic flowers throughout summer and fall. Bumblebees are a common sight among the tubular blooms, along with an array of butterflies and other pollinators. ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia maintains a graceful, mounding habit with no pruning, making a wonderful low-maintenance selection for beds and borders. Plants are heat and drought tolerant once established and are not bothered by deer, insects, or disease pests.
Plant Attributes
| Common Name: | Kaleidoscope Abelia |
| Botanical Name: | Abelia × grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ |
| Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
| Plant Type:Â | 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:Â | Acidic to neutral (5.0 to 7.5) |
| Bloom Time:Â | Spring to fall |
| Flower Color:Â | White |
| Hardiness Zones:Â | 6 to 9 |
| Native Area:Â | Garden origin, hybrid |
| Toxicity:Â | 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. The compact form of ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is well suited to patio containers and looks fabulous massed as a tall groundcover or natural hedge.
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. Plants thrive in soil with high organic matter content and benefit from additions of compost in leaner soil. Slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is best for abelias.
Water
Abelia shrubs are drought tolerant once established. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Abelia makes a good addition to water-wise landscapes, however plants benefit from supplemental irrigation during prolonged dry spells. Mulch the root zone to conserve soil moisture.
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. Broadcast the fertilizer throughout the plant’s root zone.
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. The variegated branch was collected for propagation due to its unique coloration. ‘Kaleidoscope’ maintains several attributes of its parent plant, including a compact habit, year-round appeal, and light pink flower buds opening into crisp white blooms.
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. Gardeners can also install ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia in fall but must provide adequate irrigation through the winter months. Space plants three feet apart for mass planting. Use wider spacing when planting as an accent. ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia needs well-draining soil and benefits from additions of compost to increase organic matter. Water plants regularly the first year after planting to establish a robust root system.
Water plants well before transplanting to prevent roots from drying out during the planting process.
Dig a planting hole 2-3 times as wide as the root ball. This allows you to spread the root system.
Gently remove the plant from its pot and loosen the roots, spreading them laterally.
Set plants just deep enough that the root collar (where branches meet the root system) is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Fill the planting hole with the same soil you removed, pressing it down gently with your hands.
Water plants thoroughly to settle the soil, adding more if needed.
Apply 1 to 2 inches of mulch across the filled planting hole, leaving a small ring around the stems free of mulch.
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. Plants flower on new wood, so any pruning done during the growing season will limit flower
production. Damaged or broken limbs can be removed when you notice them. Abelias lose their natural, graceful appearance when pruned or sheared heavily. Â
How To Get ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia To Bloom
Abelias bloom freely, with a flush of flowers in spring and sporadic blooms throughout summer.
Autumn often brings a second flush of blossoms. For prolific blooms, site plants in a location where they receive a few hours of direct sun each day, as flowering decreases with inadequate sunlight. Abelias are light feeders and excess nitrogen fertilizer can promote shoot growth at the expense of flowers. Provide only a light application of slow-release fertilizer in spring. Remember, abelias produce flowers on new branches. Pruning at the wrong time can remove developing flower buds.Â
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. Provide a light layer of woody mulch in autumn to regulate soil temperature and retain moisture over the winter. Make sure plants are well watered going into fall and winter.
The roots of plants growing in containers are less insulated against freezing temperatures. As such,
container-grown abelias require winter protection in Zone 8 gardens and colder regions. Potted plants can be brought indoors during cold snaps, into a cool location such as an unheated garage. Another option is to heeled containers into the ground over winter to protect the roots.
Propagating ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia
‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is patent-protected and cannot be propagated.Â
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. Be sure to select frost-proof containers if you live in a location where freezing occurs.
Look for containers with good drainage and use a high-quality commercial potting mix that promotes drainage. Evaluate the size of the root ball and select a container large enough to give the plant a little room to grow into, but not too much extra space. Repot ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia every two to three years into a container that is one to two sizes larger than the current pot. Be sure to use fresh soil. Â
Container-grown Abelia may need extra protection in winter. Move containers to a protected location away from freezing winds. Plants will be winter hardy in containers through USDA Zone 8. Containers dry out faster than plants in the ground, so be sure to water containers deeply when the upper two inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Fertilize potted abelia in the same manner as plants growing in the ground. Â Â
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. Plants can experience occasional aphid problems, which can be managed by washing aphids from plants using a powerful stream of water. Extremely hot, dry conditions can lead to outbreaks of spider mites, though damage seldom requires treatment. Root rot can be a problem when plants are overwatered, or soil does not adequately drain.
Common Problems
‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is a low maintenance shrub that experiences few problems when planted within the established hardiness range. In the coldest regions, however, plants can succumb to winter dieback during unusually harsh winters. Plants typically recover well through new growth. Excessive heat and intense sun can cause leaf scorch on abelias, especially when planted in hot locations outside and the extremes of its range. Providing afternoon shade can alleviate this problem. Foliage may also wilt or turn yellow when plants receive too much or too little water. Check soil moisture if foliage discoloration occurs and adjust irrigation accordingly.
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