Bright margins
Small green leaves are edged in cream-white, creating delicate contrast throughout the crown.
Abelia Magic Daydream 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 Magic Daydream (‘Opstal103’)
Changes colour, not its mind 🎨
- Green with cream edges
- Pink young growth
- Fragrant white-pink flowers
- Compact habit
Abelia × grandiflora Magic Daydream (‘Opstal103’) seems to change small details in its appearance as the seasons pass. Green leaves have bright cream margins, while young growth adds soft pink tones. In summer, fragrant white flowers ageing to pink stand out among the slender branches. The overall effect remains light and composed, with enough colour to catch the eye without making the planting feel heavy.
Its low, dense shape works beautifully near an entrance or at the front of a group of shrubs. In a collection of pots, the bright leaf margins connect darker foliage with neutral surfaces, maintaining interest even when flowers are absent.
Magic Daydream received a silver medal at Plantarium in 2017.
What makes it special
Flowers changing shade
Fragrant tubular flowers open white and turn pink, with flowering from summer into autumn.
Cold-season colour
Pink young growth and purple tones in cooler weather bring successive changes to its appearance.
Why you will love it: it combines bright focal foliage with the practical scale of a small shrub.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations Position, growing space and compatible companions
Best position
Choose a sheltered sunny position near an entrance or in front of taller shrubs. Allow around 80–100 cm between centres to keep mature crowns visually distinct. In a pot, provide a stable base, good drainage and enough room for gradual growth.
Compatible planting
Cream and pink work well with purple flowers or small dark leaves. In a shared border, choose plants accepting sun and well-drained soil with moderate, regular moisture; in groups of pots, adjust watering individually.
- Salvia nemorosa — in front and to the side, for upright purple flower spikes in a sunny, well-drained position.
- Geranium ‘Rozanne’ — low around the planting, for blue-purple flowers and a soft transition towards the edge, without covering the Abelia's base.
- Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Tom Thumb’ — in a separate pot or nearby position for dark foliage contrast, with protection from severe frost.
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun in a sheltered position. Avoid freezing or very dry winds.
Watering
Water when the upper soil layer begins to dry, without leaving the roots standing in water.
Climate & hardiness
Cold-hardy in a suitable position. It may lose some foliage during a cold winter.
Safety
An ornamental plant, not intended for consumption. Prevent children or pets from chewing the leaves.
Detailed careComplete care guidePlanting, water, maintenance and seasonal care
Sheltered sunshine
Good light supports compact growth and flowering. Shelter from cold winds helps the foliage remain in better condition.
Soil that drains
Plant at the original depth in fertile, well-drained soil. Pots need drainage holes and a mix retaining useful moisture without becoming compacted.
Water during establishment
Check the rootball frequently at first. Later, adjust watering to temperature, soil and growth, with more frequent checks in pots.
Light spring pruning
In early spring, remove dead, weak or awkward branches. Lightly shorten projecting shoots, retaining natural branching rather than repeatedly clipping into a rigid shape.
Winter foliage
Semi-evergreen behaviour depends on the climate. Partial leaf fall in cold conditions does not necessarily mean the plant has died. Give an exposed pot additional protection.
Feeding and root space
Modest spring feeding according to the product label supports fresh growth. When roots fill the pot, move to a larger one with suitable drainage.
Development over timeA small shrub with more branchingFrom establishment to the natural mature form
Initial establishment
The young plant develops roots and new side branches. Keep dense neighbouring growth clear of its base.
A denser crown
Over time it forms a low, bushy shape approximately 0.5–1 m in height and spread. The mature appearance develops gradually, usually over 5–10 years.
Seasonal changes
Summer flowering is followed by warmer to purple tones in the cold season. Foliage density varies with winter conditions.
Mature form & dimensions
5–10 yearsHeight 0.5–1 mSpread 0.5–1 mCompact shrub
Approximately 0.5–1 m in height and spread; compact shrub. Final size depends on conditions.
Form through time
SummerCream margins and white-pink tubular flowers
Autumn / winterPurple tones and possible partial leaf fall
The drawings show mature form and seasonal changes, not the size of the plant at purchase.
History & origin Cultivar origin The history of this particular cultivar
Magic Daydream is associated with Ron van Opstal and Van Opstal nursery in Zundert, the Netherlands. It was presented at Plantarium in 2017 and received a silver medal there.
In British horticultural nomenclature the selection appears as ‘Opstal103’. Its initial selection and parentage have not been clarified sufficiently to attribute a particular crossing or mutation history with confidence.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Not a second flower
In Abelia, the calyx lobes may remain after the tubular corolla falls. These small, often coloured structures are sepals: their presence does not mean the same flower has bloomed again.
Three chambers, one fertile
The ovary in the genus Abelia has three chambers, but only one is fertile. This structure relates to the single-seeded dry fruit described for the genus; it does not promise fruit production in every cultivated selection.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers for this particular cultivar.
01Is it the same as Mystic Daydream?
No. It is a different commercial selection. The Magic Daydream offered here has green leaves with cream margins and is supplied under the code ‘Opstal103’.
02Why are white and pink flowers present together?
Flowers open white and turn pink as they mature, so different stages may be present at the same time.
03Does it remain evergreen everywhere?
No. It is semi-evergreen: it retains more foliage in mild climates, while cold conditions may cause thinning or substantial leaf fall.
04Does it need clipping into a ball?
No. Its natural growth is already compact. Light correction in spring retains a more relaxed branching pattern.
05Can it remain in a pot?
Yes, with enough root space and good drainage. Check watering more frequently than for an established plant in the ground.
06Is purple winter foliage worrying?
It is an expected seasonal change. It differs from blackened dead tissue or general wilting, which need separate investigation.
📦 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.