Kaleidoscope is grown as much for foliage as flowers: red stems carry leaves with lime-green centers and bright yellow edges that deepen to gold in summer and pick up fiery orange tones in fall, without scorching in August heat. From late spring into autumn, pink buds open to small white blooms.

Full sun brings out the strongest leaf color, though it accepts part shade. At 3 to 4 feet it works in foundation plantings, low informal hedges, containers, and mass plantings. Well-drained soil, an occasional deep soak in drought, and a light late-winter trim are all it asks.