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Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Linnaea x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'
Phonetic Spelling
a-BEE-lee-a gran-dee-FLO-ra
Description

This shrub was discovered as a branch sport or mutation at a Piedmont North Carolina plant nursery. 'Kaleidoscope' offers great excitement to all gardeners. Its name alone indicates the range of color found on the foliage of this low, compact shrub. The plant changes color 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 gound-covering shrub.  It does well in coastal gardens as an accent or container plant. The flowers bloom on new wood; therefore, pruning, if needed, may be done in late winter and early spring.

More information on Abelia x grandiflora.

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Patio Room Courtyard Entrance Garden Foundation Planting: Back of House Backyard Respite Landscape
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#nectar plant#winter interest#fall interest#ncemgva2018#dainty#showstopper#variegated#pollinator plant#bird friendly#bee friendly#container plant#coastal plant#long lived#wildlife friendly#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#nectar plant#winter interest#fall interest#ncemgva2018#dainty#showstopper#variegated#pollinator plant#bird friendly#bee friendly#container plant#coastal plant#long lived#wildlife friendly#accent
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Reddish-purple stems
  • 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