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ABELIA 'Mardi Gras'

Image of Abelia 'Mardi Gras' PP15203

PlantHaven

Family

Caprifoliaceae

Botanical Name

ABELIA 'Mardi Gras' PP15203

Plant Common Name

Hybrid Abelia, Mardi Gras Abelia

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Colorful in its foliage, whether just emerging or mature, Mardi Gras abelia is a great compact shrub selection! The popular shrub with a low, mounding habit was selected from a mutant branch on an Abelia chinensis with Abelia x grandiflora hybrid plant.

The leaves of this semi-evergreen shrub are pink when they emerge in spring, mature to green with a white variegated edge and revert to a coppery color from fall through winter. They grow upon stems that are red-copper. Small, mildly fragrant flowers of pale pink begin to appear in late spring and continue to through to fall. Attractive five-parted, rose-colored calyces (flower bud leaves) subtend each bloom and persist well after the flowers fall.

Preferred sites for 'Mardi Gras' are in full sun to partial shade and acidic to neutral, well-drained soil. In mild winter regions it remains fully evergreen. It is surprisingly drought tolerant, especially when planted in partial shade, and takes well to pruning, though it has a beautiful natural habit. This popular landscape shrub has a neat appearance and works well in foundation plantings, mixed borders or mass plantings. It is deer resistant and its flowers attract bees and butterflies.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 5

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m

  • Width

    3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Light Pink

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    White, Green, Pink, Rose

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    White, Green, Rose

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    White, Dark Green, Rose

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    White, Dark Green, Rose, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Bark Color

    Dark Salmon, Copper, Sienna

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No