Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Linnaea x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-BEE-lee-a gran-dih-FLOR-uh
- Description
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Kaleidoscope abelia is a semievergreen shrub in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) and was discovered as a branch sport at a Piedmont North Carolina plant nursery in 1997.
The shrub grows 2.5 to 3.5 feet tall and spreads up to 6 feet wide. Plant in amended moist well-drained soil and best blooming is in full sun but tolerates partial shade. The flowers bloom on new wood; therefore, pruning, if needed, may be done in late winter and early spring.
'Kaleidoscope's leaves offer a range of color changes from a wonderful gold leaf margin in the spring that intensifies through summer and bursts into shades of red, orange, yellow and green for late fall and winter. In addition to the fantastic foliage, this plant has numerous dainty white tubular flowers that emerge in summer.
Established plants are rather drought-tolerant. 'Kaleidoscope' can be used in a variety of ways. Its low spreading growth habit makes this evergreen plant a perfect ground-covering shrub. It does well in coastal gardens as an accent or container plant.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Patio Room Courtyard Entrance Garden Foundation Planting: Back of House Backyard Respite Landscape
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Abelia
- Species:
- x grandiflora
- Family:
- Caprifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds butterflies and bees.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long-lasting
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- Pinkish buds open to white bell-shaped flowers in terminal cymes and in upper leave axils
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Start as bright green, later become yellow with chartreuse centers. As they age they mellow to shades of gold and darker green. In the fall, they are stunning yellow, orange and red.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Reddish-purple stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
