Kaleidoscope Abelia

Abelia plant named ‘Kaleidoscope’

Abstract

A new cultivar of Abelia named ‘Kaleidoscope’ that is characterized by dense compact habit, fragrant white flowers, and variegated foliage that exhibits seasonal color changes from green and golden-yellow, to orange and fiery-red. In combination these traits set ‘Kaleidoscope’ apart from all other existing varieties of Abelia known to the inventor.

Description

Botanical designation: Abelia×grandiflora.

Variety denomination: ‘Kaleidoscope’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Abelia grown as an ornamental plant for use in the landscape. The new cultivar is known botanically as Abelia×grandiflora and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘Kaleidoscope’.

‘Kaleidoscope’ was discovered by the inventor in 1997 as a single variegated branch sport on an individual Abelia×grandiflora ‘Little Richard’ (unpatented). The inventor, who manages plant propagation on a nursery in Marshville, N.C., selected ‘Kaleidoscope’ from an individual plant of Abelia ‘Little Richard’ within a crop of ‘Little Richard’. The parent plant is Abelia×grandiflora ‘Little Richard’.‘Kaleidoscope’ is distinguishable from ‘Little Richard’ by dense compact habit, smaller size, and variegated foliage. Abelia ‘Little Richard’ exhibits a larger growth habit and solid-green leaves.

‘Kaleidoscope’ is an ornamental shrub of dense compact habit and variegated foliage. From spring through summer, and into fall and winter, the foliage colors on an individual plant change from green and golden-yellow to orange and fiery-red. Fragrant white flowers appear in mid summer and persist into fall adding a striking contrast against the reddish-purple stems. Light levels influence foliage color and full sun enhances vibrancy of the colors.

Other than the non-variegated parent plant, Abelia ‘Little Richard’, the three closest comparison plants known to the Inventor are the variegated Abelia cultivars Abelia×grandiflora ‘Sunrise’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,698) and Abelia×grandiflora ‘Conti’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,472) and Abelia×grandiflora×chinensis ‘Mardi Gras’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,203).

The leaves of ‘Sunrise’, ‘Conti’, and ‘Marti Gras’, are predominantly green (that is, green coloration occupies approximately 70% to 85% of entire leaf surface), with relatively uniform and slender white or cream-yellow margins occupying approximately 30% to 15% the entire leaf surface.

The leaves of ‘Kaleidoscope’ consists of smaller green blotches which occupy approximately 50% of the entire leaf surface, surrounded by yellow (spring and summer) or orange and red margins which occupy approximately 50% of the leaf surface area.

‘Kaleidoscope’ is most readily distinguished from its parent, ‘Little Richard’ and from the variegated cultivars ‘Sunrise’, ‘Conti’ and ‘Mardi Gras’ by its striking and vibrant fall and winter foliage color that is a mix of golden-yellow, orange and fiery-red.

‘Kaleidoscope’ (and its parent ‘Little Richard’) may also be distinguished from other cultivars of Abelia×grandiflora by plant habit and plant density. ‘Kaleidoscope’ and ‘Little Richard’ appear to be more determinate, requiring minimal pinching or pruning to retain their close dense mounding habit which obscures the stems. ‘Sunrise’, ‘Conti’ and ‘Mardi Gras’ each exhibit stronger apical dominance which results in extended shoot growth and more visibility of their stems.

‘Kaleidoscope’ was first asexually propagated in 1997 by the inventor in North Carolina. Asexual propagation was accomplished using softwood cuttings. Since that time, under careful observation, the distinguishing characteristics of ‘Kaleidoscope’ have been determined stable and uniform, and are reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Abelia×grandiflora cultivar ‘Kaleidoscope’. In combination these traits set ‘Kaleidoscope’ apart from all other existing varieties of Abelia known to the inventor. ‘Kaleidoscope’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

1. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ exhibits variegated foliage.
2. The foliage of Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ displays seasonal color changes, from green and golden-yellow, to orange and fiery-red.
3. The foliage color of Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ is influenced by light levels and full sun enhances vibrancy of the colors.
4. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ exhibits reddish-purple stems.
5. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ is 76 cm. in height and 121 cm. in width at maturity.
6. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ exhibits fragrant white flowers that bloom from mid summer into fall
7. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ exhibits dense compact habit.
8. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ is suitable for use as a low accent plant, mass plantings in the landscape, and as a container plant.
9. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ performs well in acidic, well-drained, moist soils.
10. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ is hardy to USDA Zone 5 as an herbaceous perennial and stem hardy to USDA Zone 6.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of the new Abelia cultivar ‘Kaleidoscope’ showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety ‘Kaleidoscope’.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 shows five two-year old plants of ‘Kaleidoscope’ planted in the landscape in North Carolina and exhibiting the typical dense, compact mounding habit of ‘Kaleidoscope’.

The drawing labeled FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the variegated foliage in its yellow and green spring growth.

The drawing labeled FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the variegated foliage in its summer growth which exhibits golden-yellow, green and reddish tones.

The drawing labeled FIG. 4 illustrates a whole plant of ‘Kaleidoscope’ in its fall growth and exhibiting the mix of golden-yellow, orange and fiery-red fall foliage.

The drawing labeled FIG. 5 is a close-up view of ‘Kaleidoscope’ illustrating the flowers that bloom from mid summer into fall.

The drawings have been made from photographs taken by conventional techniques and although foliage colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the Abelia×grandiflora cultivar named ‘Kaleidoscope’. Data was collected in Arroyo Grande, Calif. from plants grown in 2-liter containers out-of-doors in full sun. The plants are approximately 18-months-old. Color determinations are in accordance with the 2002 Edition of the Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. ‘Kaleidoscope’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype. The growing requirements are similar to the species.

• Botanical classification: Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’.
• Genus: Abelia.
• Species: ×grandiflora.
• Denomination: ‘Kaleidoscope’.
• Commercial classification: Ornamental shrub.
• Common name: Glossy abelia.
• Uses: Low accent plant and mass plantings in the landscape, and as a container plant.
• Container size: Suggested container size is 1.5 to 2 liters for producing a one or two year old plant.
• Cultural requirements: Plant in acidic and well-drained moist soil. Full sun enhances vibrancy of foliage color, but plants will grow in partial shade.
• Parent: ‘Kaleidoscope’ was discovered as a single variegated branch sport on an individual Abelia grandiflora ‘Little Richard’ in a crop of ‘Little Richard’.

Source: USPTO