Common Name: flowering-maple
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Malvaceae
Zone: 7 to 10
Height: 1.00 to 4.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 4.00 feet
Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
Bloom Description: Pale yellow-orange
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Annual
Flower: Showy
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. 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 7-10. Frost and light freezes will damage the stem tips, leaves, and any flower buds. Colder temperatures will cause stem dieback, but plants will resprout from the roots in spring. 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. Hybrid crosses between various species and A. megapotamicum are popular shrubs typically growing 4-6' tall and wide in warm climates. 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 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 leaves tend to be more narrow than other hybrids.
Genus name comes from the Arabic name for a mallow-like plant.
'Bartley Schwarz' features pendulant, pale yellow-orange flowers on cascading to trailing stems. Mature plants will reach 1-4' tall with a similar spread.
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.