I thought it might be fun to write about Mardi Gras this time, but couldn’t really find how plants related to Mardi Gras, so instead I found plants that were named ‘Mardi Gras’ that you can have in your garden, either in the landscape or pots.

The first interesting plant is the Aglaonema hybrid 'Mardi Gras' also known as the ‘Chinese Evergreen’ which is one of the easiest plants to grow in moderate to bright light and will thrive outdoors in plant zones 10-11. Water when the soil is dry and plant is well drained soil.

The second plant is Helenium. Helenium is native to Northern and Central Americas and is in the daisy family Asteraceae. These are also known, to some people, as Sneezeweed, because they make some sneeze.

They bloom for 6-8 weeks during the summer months from late June through August. They like full sun in zones 4-8 so keep in part sun, preferably morning sun, in zones above 8. The flowers can reach a height of 40” while the foliage can reach 30”. Don’t let the soil dry out.

They are also a host plant for the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths and skippers).

The third plant is Mardi Gras Rhododendron. This one can be planted either in sun or partial shade and is a heavy bloomer in the spring, reaching 3 feet high with glossy green leaves. Partial shade is required if in a hot, dry climate.

There have been no Rhododendrons found in South America or Africa but is the national flower of Nepal. Rhododendron comes from the Greek rhodos which means rose dendron which means tree.

They require well drained acid soil and like their roots in the shade. That can be taken care of by heavily mulching the fibrous, shallow roots.

The fourth and last plant is the Mardi Gras Plumeria. The common name for a plumeria is Frangipani and they are native to tropical and subtropical Americas (Mexico, Central America and Venezuela).

They are a deciduous shrub or tree. They were named after the French botanist Charles Plumier who traveled to the New World documenting plant species. The Nahuatl, in Mexico, have named the plant cacalloxochitl, meaning Crow Flower, and was used for medicinal reasons.

Plumeria (originally spelled plumiera) likes coarse, well drained soil. Give them deep waterings and let the soil dry out before watering again. They do not like ‘wet feet’. In Mid October, cut back on your watering and stop altogether when the leaves have all fallen off as the plant is now going dormant. Begin watering again in the spring.