Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'

Kaleidoscope abelia is a compact, rounded shrub chosen for foliage that shifts from green and gold in spring and summer to orange and red in fall. Small, fragrant white flowers add a second display as the leaves change. Plan for about 2–3 feet tall by 3–4 feet wide in USDA zones 6–9; full sun strengthens the foliage color, and partial shade is tolerated. ## Landscape use and appearance The leaves have green centers and golden margins during active growth, then develop warmer orange, red, and yellow tones as the season cools. White tubular flowers appear from summer into fall. Its low, mounding form works at the front of a shrub border, in a repeated low hedge or mass planting, or in a large container with drainage. Southern Living also lists it for accent plantings and raised beds. The current [Southern Living cultivar profile](https://southernlivingplants.com/the-collection/plant/kaleidoscope-abelia/) gives the typical compact size; NC State Extension reports that older plants can become larger, so leave room for a relaxed outline. ## Growing conditions Grow in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Water consistently while roots establish and during prolonged dry spells; established plants tolerate some drought. Treat it as **semi-evergreen** because leaf retention and winter color depend on local climate. NC State lists it for coastal-region gardens, but coastal-region use does not establish salt-spray tolerance; the broader glossy-abelia guidance warns against salty soil. ## Breeder, brand, and patent The patent records ‘Kaleidoscope’ as a variegated branch sport of ‘Little Richard’, discovered by Randall Dale Lindsey at a nursery in Marshville, North Carolina. U.S. Plant Patent **PP16,988** was granted in 2006; the public patent record lists adjusted expiration on May 14, 2025. Southern Living Plant Collection currently markets the cultivar, and PlantHaven maintains a [dedicated cultivar site](https://www.abeliakaleidoscope.com/). Read the [patent record](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP16988P2/en) for its breeding history and the [NC State Extension reference](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/abelia-x-grandiflora-kaleidoscope/) for regional care guidance. ## Maintenance Low maintenance when given adequate space. Remove dead or winter-damaged stems and shape lightly in late winter or early spring, before new growth. Flowers develop on new wood, so avoid repeated heavy trimming through the flowering season. Mulch around the root zone without piling it against the stems, and check soil moisture during establishment and extended dry weather.