The nitrogen boost stimulates new growth. Before applying fertilizer, always carefully read and follow instructions on … Once it’s in place, mulch heavily to deter weeds and keep the soil moist. A seedling heating mat set to 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit helps spur root development. As stated in the watering section, your glossy abelia prefers moist soil. It's colourful without being garish and has added bonus of late flowers which the bees love. Kaleidoscope is as versatile as it is colorful, with chameleon-like foliage that changes with the seasons, from golden yellow in spring to orange-red in fall. Simply plant, add some mulch, and grow! While these pose little risk to the plant, they can cause some leaf-spotting. The Kaleidoscope Abelia adds beauty, color, contrast, and texture to the landscape. Another application of slow-release nitrogen in late summer will kickstart the next spring’s growth. Look no further than kaleidoscope abelia. A couple of short stakes can support the bag and keep it off the cutting. If the tip comes out damp, wait to water until it’s dried out. Changing color over the seasons, Abelia × grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope' (Glossy Abelia) is a dwarf, variegated, semi-evergreen shrub. In spring and summer the small, pointy leaves are bright yellow with a green centre. Your climate might be too cold for this plant: Water regularly - weekly, or more often in extreme heat or containers. So if you’re looking for a bright bit of foliage color, you’ll find the kaleidoscope abelia to your liking. Kaleidoscope® Abelia makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. If doing an optional summer feeding, an acidic, balanced low-NPK fertilizer’s fine. Finally, we come to hardwood cuttings. Pick a vigorous, healthy tip that’s about 6″ in length and which has a few leaves at the tip. These have far less likelihood of taking root than softwood or semi-ripe cuttings. Abelia x grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia Kaleidoscope is a small, hardy, fast-growing, evergreen shrub with variegated foliage. But, like most plants, you don’t want it too moist. Abelia Varieties. Lightly prune to shape. Apply as per manufacturer’s directions. But what if an abelia won’t flower? Year-round, it will provide cheerful color for your garden spaces! You’ll love kaleidoscope abelia once it’s become a fixture in your yard. The red-stemmed shrub's lemon-bordered, chartreuse spring foliage switches deep green, with creamy- or golden-yellow edges in summer. Those in colder areas may see the stems die back to the ground from the winter’s chill. While you're here, why not follow us on Facebook and YouTube? It’s not as important as the early spring feeding, but may spark more budding. Abelia Varieties. The best time for pruning glossy abelia shrubs is late winter or very early spring, before it’s started to grow. Left to multiply, they may pose a slight danger to your plant’s health. Warmer climates have a somewhat evergreen tendency. Like a starlet perpetually striving for best-dressed status, \"Kaleidoscope\" abelia (Abelia x grandiflora \"Kaleidoscope\") updates its wardrobe from season to season. Give it at least an inch of water per week, and more in hotter conditions. Abelia is an old standby, hardy to USDA zones 6-10 and grown for its lovely tubular light pink blooms that blossom from summer to fall. 6211 Pioneer Way E Puyallup, WA 98371. Select cuttings from hardwood that’s at least one year old. From spring until fall, the only pruning required is to maintain its shape. In zones 7-9, the autumnal display stays on the plant through the winter months. They are resistant to deer and other grazers too! This is the most reliable option. Compact in size, this little shrub packs a lot of punch. Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope' Abelia. Abelia Kaleidoscope in the Landscape. There are three forms of cuttings which can be taken at different times of year. This produces more of the vigorous, arching stems that create the plant's pleasing form. Bright, golden yellow variegation on medium green leaves along with brilliant red stems create a striking kaleidoscope of color. Accessorizing the summer display, pale-pink buds and fragrant white flowers continue into fall, when the plant becomes a swirl of gre… Remove any dead or damaged branches, and thin as needed to encourage new shoots. 2 Gal. Kaleidoscope Abelia care is easy. Kaleidoscope® Abelia makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Here is more about our approach. Super-easy for beginners, it’s perfect for those who want year-round attractive garden spaces. Use neem oil or an insecticidal soap to reduce their numbers. This produced “Little Richard”, a popular Abelia x grandiflora hybrid. It is generally evergreen but some lost their leave in last year's harsh winter. It will be a beautiful lime green in the spring and turn yellow in the summer. In the spring, they will shift back towards green tones. There is no pruning needed for this dwarf abelia, but if desired reserve heavy pruning for winter. Forms a low, compact shrub 2 to 2 1/2 ft. tall, 3 to 3 1/2 ft. wide. We're always looking to improve our articles to help you become an even better gardener. Otherwise, leave the older wood in place to grow on! In fall and winter, the foliage color deepens to shades of orange and fiery red. Once it has set roots, gradually introduce drier conditions until it adapts. Before planting, dip the cut end into water and then rooting hormone powder. You can provide support if you wish, but most opt for a light tip-trimming to neaten up the plant’s appearance. 'Kaleidoscope' grows 2 to 2.5 ft. tall and 3 to 4 ft. w… It is a rounded, spreading, multi-stemmed shrub in the honeysuckle family. There are very few rules in gardening, but perhaps the most important one is to work within your zone. There are other cultivars of abelia x grandiflora, but by far the most popular is this one for its colorful hues! However, an annual abelia pruning will go a long way toward keeping your plant compact and neat looking, especially if it’s had a hard winter. Epic Gardening occasionally links to goods or services offered by vendors to help you find the best products to care for plants. This will encourage new spring growth. You can find this lovely plant online at PlantingTree. The pinkish-tinged buds turn into white tubular flowers across the plant’s surface. Acidic fertilizers with high nitrogen are preferred for the spring feeding. Whether it’s the yellow-green glow of spring or the fiery shades of autumn, it’s stunning. There are a few reasons for an abelia that does not bloom. © 2020 MONROVIA NURSERY COMPANY. Avoid standing water around your plant by providing good drainage. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. ANSWER: Kaleidoscope abelia blooms on new wood, so you can prune it in the winter while it’s dormant. One of the best things about this particular plant is that diseases aren’t common. COMMON NAME: ABELIA KALEIDOSCOPE Year round interest with this gem. You may find some minor leaf spotting at worst, but not enough to impact your plant’s health. No major plant diseases strike kaleidoscope abelia with any severity. Kaleidoscope Abelia Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ is one of the easiest, most versatile plants for your garden. Abelia blossoms on new wood, so avoid pruning after spring growth begins. Green and creamy yellow in spring and summer then adding a burst of orange and red in … To create this unique hybrid, Abelia chinensis and Abelia uniflora were carefully cross-pollinated. In the autumn, the golden color shifts to oranges and reds, while the center of the leaves remain deep green. ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is reported to be the longest-blooming of all the Abelias. Flowering is much more abundant when it has full sun, though! Keep it moist, and it should root in a few weeks. Since glossy abelia (A. x grandiflora) blooms on new wood, prune in late winter to early spring before new growth emerges so that flowers are not sacrificed. A little more about me. Propagating kaleidoscope abelia is done from cuttings. The bright leaves would make an attractive plant even without the abundance of white flowers that decorate this shrub all summer long. Kaleidoscope Abelia is one of the easiest plants you can add to your garden for year-round, ever-changing colors. I created Epic Gardening to help teach 10,000,000 people how to grow anything, no matter where they live in the world. You’re just trying to help it bush out once it enters active growing again. By late spring the entire bush is covered with soft pink buds that open to white blooms. Ideal tips should be cut just below a leaf node, and should be stripped of the lower leaves, keeping only a few at the top. Plant en masse as a groundcover or for dramatic year-round color. It can be used either as 'filler' or as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, depending on the height and form … Controlled release fertilizer should be applied in the winter or early spring. In the early spring before new growth starts to appear is the time to choose. Abelia × grandiflora is a cross between A. chinensis and A. uniflora. Abelia, a drought-tolerant, semievergreen shrub, provides reliable performance as a foundation plant, hedge or addition to the mixed border. When it’s in winter dormancy, you can do a pruning of up to 1/3rd its height. Abelia looks best when allowed to retain its natural shape and size. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. This particular cultivar of Abelia x grandifolia is a true delight. Helpful Products For Kaleidoscope Abelia: Growers of kaleidoscope abelia choose it for its spectacular color display. Kaleidoscope Abelia: A Seasonal Color-Changer | Epic Gardening Plant your semi-ripe cuttings similarly to softwood cuttings, but keep them moist. Low growing and easy to prune if it throws up the odd long shoot. Once established, prefers regular water but tolerates dry spells, particularly in cooler regions. You can do a second, lighter feeding in the summer when flower buds begin to appear. Quick-growing stems can be weaker and prone to flopping over. Home » Kaleidoscope Abelia: A Seasonal Color-Changer. Autumn brings red-orange leaves with lovely dark centers. Sun 10am - 5pm Those are softwood, summer, or hardwood cuttings. Starting in spring, this plant has bright yellow, light green centered foliage that intensifies to a golden yellow with deep green markings in the summer months. Plant this glossy abelia in either the spring or the fall. Produces a low-growing, compact habit with gold-yellow variegated foliage, bright-red stems and white blooms. Do not work agricultural lime or other acid neutralizers into the soil around this plant! In autumn the foliage turns bright orange and then to a fiery red in winter. In the summer, semi-ripe cuttings are taken when the plant’s in bud. You’ll see the first signs of new reddish-tinged stems appear once the weather is warm enough. Light trimming can be done anytime of the year. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. As the spring fades into summer, the leaves change. Take a hand trowel and stick it about three inches into the soil. Spacing for the Kaleidoscope Abelia, should be planted at minimum four feet, center on center. Store Hours & Address. Evergreen. Your climate may be too cold for this plant, SIGN-UP FOR DESIGN INSPIRATION AND UPDATES ON NEW PLANTS, 817 E. MONROVIA PLACEAZUSA, CALIFORNIA 91702-1385, LEGACY OUR STORY NURSERY LOCATIONS SUSTAINABILITY PRESS CAREERS INTERNSHIPS, FIND A MONROVIA PROFESSIONAL BECOME A MONROVIA PRO, CONTACT US FAQs RETURN POLICY SHIPPING INFO HOW TO ORDER ONLINE. And best of all, it can tolerate compact spaces as well as open beds! This article contains incorrect information, This article is missing information that I need. It gives the roots time to become established before the next summer’s heat kicks in. From late spring into the fall, it’s awash in flowers. Abelia are light feeders however benefit from fertilization. Bright golden-yellow variegation on medium green leaves along with brilliant red stems create a striking kaleidoscope of color, changing to a multitude of bright harvest colors by fall and into winter. As it’s a hybrid plant, no other method works reliably. Make sure to amend your planting hole with lots of compost before planting. This is a versatile plant that professionals love. There is an added feature in that this variegated Abelia shrub has red stems, that help to set off the golden and scarlet foliage. Its pink buds open into white fragrant flowers that persist into fall. Once you’ve cut it with sterile pruning shears, place it in moistened potting soil. We recommend spacing ‘Kaleidoscope’ 5 to 6 feet apart allowing room for the plant to grow to its full potential. Kaleidoscope abelia is a specific abelia x grandiflora hybrid cultivar. Don’t prune more than a third of the plant back, though. Each season its foliage shifts and changes to a new vibrant hue. Most gardeners find to their delight that kaleidoscope abelia will grow itself. As a general rule, pests leave abelias alone. Propagating Christmas Cactus: Easy Holiday Gifts, 2′-4′ tall (up to 6′ in warm climates), 3′-4′ wide, Organically rich, moist soil with good drainage, acidic. The first shoots of new growth in the spring are a lovely yellow-green color, vivid and bright. I suggest feeding Abelia in late winter or early spring with a slow-release shrub & tree type fertilizer or a natural, organic plant food.