Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’

* Common name: Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’

* Botanical name: Abelia x grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’

* What it is: A compact flowering shrub with trumpet-shaped white flowers in spring and variegated leaves that change with the seasons – morphing through blends of green, creamy yellow and rosy-burgundy in fall. Hold leaves through some winters.

* Size: 3 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide.

* Where to use: Sunny borders, around water gardens or along southern or western house foundations. Full sun to light shade.

* Care: Scatter organic granular fertilizer such as Holly-tone or Flower-tone around base in March. Keep damp the first season, then water needed only in drought. No pruning needed unless it’s outgrowing the space. Time to prune is right after flowers fade in late spring.

* Great partner: Dwarf Shasta daisy ‘Snowcap’ or ‘Snow Lady’ (perennial) or celosia ‘Fresh Look Red’ (annual).