Kaleidoscope Abelia

Let's Grow

About Kaleidoscope Abelia

Kaleidoscope Abelia is small and easy to maintain shrub. It's known for its bell-shaped white flowers, graceful arched branches and vibrant green, yellow, red and orange variegated leaves. Hence the name, Kaleidoscope. This relative of the common honeysuckle plant makes a beautiful addition to any landscape design or garden bed, and it's a favorite of butterflies and other pollinators who visit the garden.

The Kaleidoscope Abelia boasts graceful branches that sweep upward punctuated by clusters of sweet-smelling blooms. Leaves are speckled green, white, and gold for a unique palette that stands out among other landscaping shrubs.
Depending on where you live, Kaleidoscope Abelia's personality takes a multifaceted turn for the best. In the warmest geographical zones within its hardiness range, it appears as a unique evergreen shrub. In cooler areas, Kaleidoscope Abelia takes on a semi-evergreen personality. Finally, Kaleidoscope makes a gorgeous evergreen that puts on a show every autumn as its leaves become a vibrant “kaleidoscope” of stunning fall colors.

Kaleidoscope Abelia
Botanical Name	Abelia × grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'
Plant Hardiness	Zone 6-9
Mature Height	3 to 4'
Mature Width	3 to 4'
Sun Needs	Full Sun to Partial Shade
Does Not Ship To	AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, PR

Special features:

• Brilliant, colorful fall shrub
  
• Beautiful as a low-lying hedge
• Helps maintain healthy soil and controls erosion
• Puts on a colorful fall display
  
• Fragrant blooms
  
• Easy to grow and hardy
  
• Attracts pollinators

How to Care for Kaleidoscope Abelia



You really don't need know your way around the garden to learn how to take care of Kaleidoscope Abelia. Just practice the few the simple care tips below. When properly maintained, Kaleidoscope Abelia plants will come back year after year with minimal fuss. However, if you put in just a bit more effort, you can maximize a splash of color by providing your plant with the right Kaleidoscope Abelia growing conditions.

When to plant Kaleidoscope Abelia


Kaleidoscope Abelia can be planted in the garden or in a container at any time of the year, but it's best to avoid planting during extreme weather conditions such as extreme heat or cold. You can plant hydrangeas in summer, but it’s not ideal as plants will need to be watered more frequently to help them get established in your garden.

Where to plant Kaleidoscope Abelia

Kaleidoscope Abelia prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. The plant requires only moderate watering, with fertilization in the spring and pruning in late winter or early spring. It's also important to choose a location for planting that provides enough space for the plant to grow, as it can reach up to 3-4 feet in height and width.

Growing Kaleidoscope Abelia in pots

Kaleidoscope Abelia plants can do well in containers both inside and outside in patio pots, as long as they receive the proper care and attention. Abelia plants are generally easy to care for, and they can thrive in a variety of growing conditions, including your own attractive container.



Choose a container that is at least 12-14 inches in diameter and has drainage holes at the bottom. Fill the container with a high-quality potting mix that has good drainage. Gently remove the plant from its container and loosen any tangled roots. Place the plant in the container and backfill with soil, gently firming the soil around the base of the plant. Water the plant thoroughly and place it in a location that receives full to partial sun. Make sure to water the plant regularly, especially during hot and dry weather. Additionally, it's a good idea to fertilize the plant with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and summer months to promote healthy growth and vibrant foliage.

How to Plant Kaleidoscope Abelia

For best results with Kaleidoscope Abelia, dig a hole that is about twice as wide and as deep as the plant's root ball. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole and mix in some compost or other organic matter to improve soil fertility and drainage. Gently remove the plant from its container and loosen any tangled roots. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil, gently firming the soil around the base of the plant. Water the plant thoroughly.

History of Kaleidoscope Abelia

Abelia Kaleidoscope is a cultivar of Abelia, a genus of flowering plants native to eastern Asia and Mexico. The cultivar was created by Kent Bell of Marshville, North Carolina in 1997. Kent Bell is the owner of Belle Gardens nursery and specializes in breeding new varieties of ornamental plants. Abelia Kaleidoscope was created through a process of selective breeding, and it is known for its variegated foliage that changes color throughout the growing season. It has become a popular landscaping plant due to its attractive appearance and ease of maintenance. It has variegated leaves that are green with yellow margins in the spring and summer, turning into shades of orange, red, and burgundy in the fall. The plant also produces small, fragrant, white flowers from late summer to early fall. The coloration is most vibrant when the shrub is grown in full sun. Its pink buds open into white scented flowers that persist into fall.