A new and distinct Abelia cultivar named ‘LITTLE LADY’ is disclosed, characterized by a very compact plant form, and dark pink, flower-like sepals which have ornamental value. The new variety is an Abelia, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species:Abelia grandiflora.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The newAbeliacultivar is a product of a chance discovery by the inventor in Kevelaer, Germany. The new variety was discovered as a naturally occurring single branch mutation in nursery during August of 2015.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘LITTLE LADY’ was first performed in September of 2015 at a nursery in Kevelaer, Germany. Vegetative soft wood cuttings were used. Subsequently, 3 generations have been reproduced and shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘LITTLE LADY’, These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘LITTLE LADY’ as a new and distinctAbeliacultivar:

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LITTLE LADY’ are similar to plants of the parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘LITTLE LADY’ differ in the following;

1. Foliage of the new variety is wider and more rounded than foliage of the parent variety.

2. Plants of the new variety are more floriferous than plants of the parent variety.

3. Plants of the new variety produce smaller flowers than plants of the parent variety.

4. Plants of the new variety are snore compact, with shorter branches than the parent.

6. Sepal color of the new variety is green and red with white, sepal color of the seed parent is darker, brown-red.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LITTLE LADY’ can be compared to the varietyAbelia‘Keiser’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,632. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics however, ‘LITTLE LADY’ differs in the following:

1. The new cultivar has lighter, glossier leaves; comparator has darker green leaves.

2. The new variety is more compact than this comparator.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION