Abelia ×grandiflora 'Radiance'

Abelia x grandiflora 'Radiance' was found as a branch sport of Abelia x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope'. It was discovered at a nursery in Marshville, N.C.

It is a compact shrub that grows to about two to three feet tall and three to three and a half feet wide. A. x grandiflora 'Radiance' is hardy in USDA zones 6-9. It is best grown in full sun, allowing the coloration of the foliage to be most pronounced, but it may also be grown in part shade. Acidic, moist, well drained soil is recommended. Here are Brookgreen Gardens, we have found A. x grandiflora 'Radiance' to generally be evergreen.

This cultivar is known for the following traits. The foliage of A. x grandiflora 'Radiance' consists of two colors. When the foliage is young, it is green with a gold-yellow margin. As the leaves age, the color becomes gray-green with a cream colored margin. The current year's stems are noticeably red in color and turn red-brown as they age. It also has a dense, compact habit.

Abelia x grandiflora 'Radiance' differs from A. x grandiflora 'Kaleidoscope' primarily in the color of its foliage. While 'Kaleidoscope' has multiple colors on its leaves, 'Radiance' only has two colors. 'Radiance' may also appear similar to A. × grandiflora 'Mardi Gras'; the two can be distinguished as 'Radiance' does not show any pink color to its foliage or flowers, unlike 'Mardi Gras' which does.

Abelia x grandiflora 'Radiance' was patented on May 24, 2011 and has patent number PP21929.