Sunny Ray's Nursery, LLC.

Abelia X ‘Mardi Gras’                                                     White-variegated Glossy Abelia

 Size:  4’ X 4’ (estimated size since we have not seen a mature plant)

 Exposure:  Full sun to part shade

 Flower Time:  Late June until Frost (sporadic after the first flower)

 Ornamental Characteristics:

 New to the scene, Mardi Gras is a very attractive variegated form of the old standard.  The leaves have edges of a creamy white encasing a deep green center.  When new growth occurs, the developing foliage takes on an additional reddish pink hue, adding to its interest.  As far as we have seen, the variegation holds up well in full sun and there has not been any reversions noticed.  Light pink flowers grace this plant in June and continue to open for the rest of the season.  We cannot attest to its “evergreenness” since we have not seen this plant for a KY winter, but we expect it to retain some leaves in “regular” winters (if there is such a thing).  Mardi Gras was selected from Hawksridge Farm.