| Botanical Name | Abutilon x hybridum |
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Genus | Abutilon |
| Specie | pictum |
| Common Name | Flowering Maple, Chinese Bell Flower, Chinese Lantern |
| Life Cycle | Tropicals and Tender Perennials |
| Fragrant or Not | No |
| Category(Bush/Vine/Tree) | Shrubs |
| Height | 2 to 4 feet annual if perennial 2 to 12 feet |
| Spacing | 2 to 4 feet |
| Flowering Months | Seasonal bloomer |
| Flower Color | Pink, Red, White, Yellow |
| Growing Areas | all hot areas of Pakistan |
| Frost Tender | yes |
| Exposure | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil pH | Mildly acidic |
| Propagation | From herbaceous stem cuttings From seed; |
| Uses | Beds, borders, pots, window boxes or containers. |
| Other Details | Abutilon is a large genus in the Mallow family. Flowering maple (Abutilon x hybridum) is a popular group of hybrids that are semi-tropical, frost-tender shrubs. 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. 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 are often variegated with white and yellow. |
image courtesy Farhan Ahmad.
