Colour within each leaf
Golden yellow margins contrast with green centres even when no flowers are present.
Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'® 17cm
Normal price
€15,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Abelia × grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’®
Couldn't decide what to wear. Wore it all 👗
- Gold-and-green leaves
- Orange autumn tones
- White flowers
- Low, spreading crown
Abelia × grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’® packs more colour into its small leaves than you might expect from such an unassuming shrub. Green centres are framed by golden yellow tones, later enriched with orange and red. Fine reddish stems reinforce this warm palette, while small white flowers provide a quieter contrast and allow the foliage to remain the main attraction throughout the changing composition of the planting.
Its low, spreading crown brightens the front of a border and creates a transition between dark-leaved shrubs and grey-green perennials. In a composition with relatively few different plants, seasonal changes provide variety without requiring the entire planting to be replaced.
What makes it special
Seasonal transformation
Orange-red tones become more noticeable towards autumn; they are not a fixed colour throughout the year.
White contrast
Small, lightly fragrant white flowers in summer and autumn stand out against the warm foliage palette.
Why you will love it: a small group can create a bright focal point in front of darker planting.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations Position, growing space and compatible companions
Best position
Give it a front position in a well-drained mixed border, in sun or light partial shade, with room to spread sideways. For distinct mature crowns, allow approximately 1–1.2 m centre to centre, adjusting this design spacing to the desired degree of overlap.
Compatible planting
Golden yellow combines well with purple flowers and blue-grey foliage. Companions need light and drainage; those preferring drier soil should have a separate watering point.
- Salvia nemorosa — alongside it for upright purple flower spikes in a sunny, well-drained position.
- Festuca glauca — low at the front for blue-grey contrast, on the drier edge of the composition.
- Lavandula angustifolia — in a separate watering zone, providing lilac and silver-green tones without excessive moisture around the lavender roots.
Care at a glance
Light
Sun or light partial shade. In hot weather, avoid moving abruptly from shade into intense afternoon sun.
Watering
Water as the upper layer dries. Established plants tolerate drier periods, but a pot should not remain persistently dry.
Climate & hardiness
Cold-hardy and semi-evergreen in colder conditions. Roots in pots need more protection than those in the ground.
Safety
Not intended for consumption. Keep away from children or animals that regularly chew plants.
Detailed careComplete care guidePlanting, water, maintenance and seasonal care
Light and leaf colour
Choose sun or light partial shade. Heavier shade may reduce colour intensity. In a hot Greek summer, adequate moisture and gradual acclimatisation matter more than any promise that the leaves can never scorch.
Planting and drainage
Keep the top of the rootball level with the surrounding ground. Abelia adapts to different soil types, but persistent water around the roots is unsuitable.
Practical watering
Check moisture below the surface by hand and water deeply when needed. Establishing plants and pots need more frequent checks than mature shrubs in the garden.
Pots and feeding
Use a free-draining mix and a pot with holes. Modest spring feeding at the label rate supports new growth without encouraging unnecessarily long shoots.
Maintaining the crown
In early spring, remove dead branches and thin selectively where necessary. Avoid repeatedly shearing the outer surface in summer, which removes natural branching and flowering shoots.
Winter appearance
In a mild winter it may retain much of its foliage, while colder conditions produce a thinner crown. Protect an exposed pot and wait for spring growth before assessing possible damage.
Development over timeA low crown that fills with colourFrom establishment to the natural mature form
First growth
New shoots extend the crown after the roots establish. Small differences in colour intensity between older and younger leaves are natural.
Spreading branches
The cultivar fills sideways to form a low shrub. This natural proportion suits borders without regular severe clipping.
After summer
White flowers recede as foliage develops warmer shades. Winter density depends on how cold the position becomes.
Mature form & dimensions
Gradual maturityHeight 0.5–1 mSpread 1–1.5 mLow, spreading shrub
Approximately 0.5–1 m tall × 1–1.5 m wide. Low, spreading shrub; allow room sideways. Conditions and pruning influence the final size.
Form through the seasons
SummerGold-and-green crown with white flowers
AutumnWarmer tones after flowering
The drawings show natural architecture and the seasonal cycle, not a guaranteed size or colour of the potted plant.
History & origin Cultivar origin The history of this particular cultivar
In 1997, Randall Dale Lindsey found a distinctive branch on ‘Little Richard’ in Marshville, North Carolina. This natural branch mutation, known as a sport, became the starting point of ‘Kaleidoscope’.
Propagation by cuttings confirmed that its characteristics remained stable. The US application was filed in 2005 and patent USPP16988 was granted in 2006; its history concerns branch selection rather than a deliberate cross between two parents.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Branching with reduced apical dominance
The patent description records more limited shoot extension and reduced apical dominance compared with certain other variegated abelias. This helps explain the dense, low architecture of the cultivar independently of its leaf colour.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers for this particular cultivar.
01Why does its colour change?
Seasonal colour change is a cultivar characteristic. Gold-and-green tones can develop orange or red shades towards autumn.
02Is it suitable for a low border?
Yes, thanks to its naturally low, spreading growth. Allow room for width instead of relying on constant clipping.
03Does it need acidic soil?
It is not an acid-loving plant with the specialised requirements of a camellia. Good drainage and balanced moisture are the priorities.
04Can it survive without watering?
An established plant in the ground can tolerate drier periods. This is not an instruction to neglect a new plant or a fast-drying pot.
05Should the white flowers be removed?
Regular deadheading is not needed to keep the foliage attractive. Avoid shearing the entire crown while it is flowering.
06Will the leaves fall in winter?
Some foliage may fall in colder positions. Its behaviour is semi-evergreen, with new growth returning in spring.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.