Kaleidoscope Abelia - 3 Gallon

Kaleidoscope Abelia - Variegated Evergreen Flowering Shrub | 2-3 Feet Tall, Individual Plants

Experience year-round color with nature's most dramatic seasonal display shrub. The Kaleidoscope Abelia is a compact, award-winning semi-evergreen that has become the most popular variegated abelia for its stunning foliage transformations. This exceptional flowering shrub has become reported to be the longest-blooming of all the Abelias. With its bright yellow and lime-green foliage emerging in spring that turns golden yellow in summer before taking on glowing orange and fiery red hues in fall and abundant white, tubular, fragrant flowers that cover the entire bush well into fall, the Kaleidoscope Abelia creates a living kaleidoscope of color that changes with every season. The bright, golden yellow variegation on medium green leaves along with brilliant red stems creates a striking kaleidoscope of color while maintaining leaf coloration that does not burn or scorch in the hottest of weather. Unlike other shrubs that provide single-season interest, these variegated abelias provide continuous visual transformation that actually intensifies throughout the growing season.

Why You'll Love the Kaleidoscope Abelia

Perfect Compact Size: Growing 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide with a compact, mounding growth habit makes this the perfect choice for foundation plantings, borders, containers, and small garden spaces.

Extended Blooming Season: Space plants 3–4 feet apart and they quickly establish to provide an abundance of white, tubular, fragrant flowers from late spring well into fall. These award-winning shrubs have natural mounding growth habit that won't need pruning.

Exceptional Hardiness: Hardy in growing zone 6, zone 7, zone 8, and zone 9 and frost, drought and heat tolerant as well as deer-resistant. Once established, these abelias require minimal maintenance.

Four-Season Interest: A versatile landscaping choice due to chameleon-like foliage that changes with the seasons, from golden yellow in spring to orange-red in fall - perfect for gardeners seeking continuous color and fragrant blooms.

Kaleidoscope Abelia Details

• Botanical Name: Abelia × grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'
• Type: Semi-evergreen flowering shrub
• Mature Size: 2-3 feet tall × 3-4 feet wide (compact mounding habit)
• Growth Rate: Moderate — established plants develop natural mounding shape
• Light: Full sun to partial shade (best flowering in full sun)
• Soil: Average, medium moisture, well-drained soils; prefers organically rich soils
• Water: Regular watering during establishment; drought tolerant once established
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9

Growing Conditions

Soil Adaptability: Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil and prefers moist, organically rich soils which drain well. However, adaptable to various soil types and avoid waterlogged conditions.

Light Requirements: Partial shade is preferred, but full sun will improve flowering. Best flowering in full sun but tolerates partial shade well.

Hardiness: USDA zones 6-9, making it suitable for most temperate regions with protection in northern areas.

Care Instructions

Watering: Water deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry before watering again. Maintain consistent moisture during establishment period.

Pruning: The flowers bloom on new wood; therefore, pruning, if needed, may be done in late winter and early spring. Light pruning to maintain shape if desired.

Fertilizing: Feed plants in early spring and again in early fall with an all-purpose fertilizer, following label instructions for optimal growth and blooming.

Landscaping Uses

Versatile Applications: Kaleidoscope Abelia's compact size and year-round interest makes it suitable for: foundation plantings, low hedges, patio containers, mass plantings as groundcover, mixed shrub borders, and pathway accents.

Butterfly Garden: Plants bloom in abundance with tiny white flowers that are a favorite of butterflies, making it an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly landscapes with continuous seasonal color.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Kaleidoscope Abelia? Space plants at minimum four feet, center on center for uses such as border, mass, hedge, ground cover, though 3–4 feet apart allows for mature growth and proper air circulation.

Does the foliage really change colors throughout the season? Yes, new foliage emerges bright light green, then leaves gradually mature to a mixture of golden yellow and orange, followed by bright red fall color with continuous transformation.

Are Kaleidoscope Abelia deer resistant and low maintenance? They are frost, drought and heat tolerant as well as deer-resistant and once established require minimal care with natural mounding growth that won't need pruning.