Common Name: flowering-maple
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Malvaceae
Native Range: Garden origin
Zone: 9 to 10
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 4.00 feet
Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
Bloom Description: Red, pink, yellow, white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Annual
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Evergreen
Culture
Grow in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in part shade (morning sun) in hot summer climates, particularly for those cultivars with variegated foliage. Foliage may wilt in full afternoon sun. Needs consistently moist soils which do not dry out. Plants abhor dry conditions. Plant stems tend to be weak. Pinch stem tips of younger plants to promote both bushiness and stronger more compact plants. These hybrids are winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-10. In colder climates, they can also be grown as annuals or houseplants. Take tip cuttings in late summer to overwinter plants indoors. Overwintering and houseplant success can be achieved with plenty of bright, direct sun and cooler temperatures.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Abutilon is a large genus in the Mallow family. Flowering maple (Abutilon × hybridum) is a popular group of hybrids that are semi-tropical, frost-tender shrubs typically growing 8-10’ tall in Zones 9-10 where in may be left in the ground year-round. In colder climates, they will grow more compact (to 2-4’ tall in a single season). Lantern-like buds open to solitary, pendulous, bell- to cup-shaped flowers (to 3” diameter) with five overlapping petals and significant staminal columns typical of the mallow family. Plants bloom throughout the growing season. Flowers come in red, pink, yellow, white and pastel shades. Lobed, maple-like, light green leaves can be variegated with white and yellow.
Genus name comes from the Arabic name for a mallow-like plant.
Problems
Potential insect problems include whitefly, scale and spider mites. Mealybugs may become a problem indoors. Watch for root rot, rust, leaf spot and abutilon mosaic virus.
Uses
Beds, borders, pots, window boxes or containers.