Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'
Kaleidoscope Glossy Abelia
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Height
- 2 to 3 feet
- Width
- 3 to 4 feet
- Flower color
- Small, tubular white flowers surrounded by pinkish-red calyces
- Foliage color
- Variegated leaves with golden yellow edges and green centers in spring and summer, turning orange and red in fall
- Bloom time
- Late spring to fall
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; light pruning to shape in late winter or after flowering
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 6 to 9
- Wildlife
- Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
About this plant
Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope' is a vibrant, semi-evergreen shrub renowned for its ever-changing foliage and delicate flowers. The variegated leaves emerge in spring with shades of green and yellow, transitioning to golden hues with orange and red tints as autumn approaches. From late spring through fall, it produces small, fragrant, trumpet-shaped white flowers that provide a soft contrast to its colorful foliage.
This cultivar is a variant of Abelia x grandiflora, bred for its unique, year-round display of foliage color and extended bloom time. 'Kaleidoscope' is prized for its compact form and dynamic seasonal interest, making it a versatile choice for borders, low hedges, or container gardens where it brings brightness and texture to any landscape.
Works well in
Borders · Containers · Foundation Plantings · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Thyme · Switch grasses · Catmint · Penstemons · Coreopsis · Blanket flower
Design tip
Position this compact shrub near patios or along walkways where repeated groupings can unify the planting while drawing attention to key garden spaces. Combine it with bold foliage and upright forms to create contrast, strengthen composition, and maintain visual interest throughout the seasons.
