Abutilon megapotamicum (aka Flowering Maple)
This is a plant I bought last year at Plant Delights. Abutilons are popular plants for containers and I had never heard of anyone growing them in the ground. At Plant Delights Nursery, they were perfectly happy and healthy in the ground. There are cold hardy varieties that do fine thought and this one survived the winter, even planted on the north side of the house. They are native to Brazil and related to the Hibiscus family. It is loaded with blooms at the moment. Planted in mostly shade, it has produced stalks that have shot up to 2 ft. (they grow 8 ft. tall in their native country and rarely get past 5 ft. here).
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Abutilon (Flowering Maple)
9 comments:
I had one of these planted in a pot for several years. I did bring it into the house during winter. It only bloomed during fall. I think it is amazing that it lives outside all winter in your area. Lucky you.
That is lovely! Jeannine
Hi Phillip, The flowering maple was one of my mother's favorite house plants growing up in California. Love Plants Delights nursery.
Very pretty! I have always had to bring mine inside, but even so they are easy and rewarding plants.
This is such a beautiful photo of a stunning plant! It was so great meeting you and Michael today! A perfect day for a walk in a perfect garden!!!
This is one of my favorite plants!In the ground or in pots, they make it through most winters here. In mild winters, they only stop blooming in December or January and begin again in May. Our humming birds seem to like them,too!
Beautiful! And now I am ashamed because someone gave me a tiny one, and I didn't really know what it was and did not do my research. I neglected it, and it died. Next time will be different!
I love abutilon, but rarely see them. I spotted some at a botanic garden over the weekend and I think I giggled with joy. Good post about a great plant, and very nice photos to boot!
I think I shall have to get one of these. Finally after 14 years on the homestead I am starting to landscape!
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