Chinese Bellflower Abutilon x hybridum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Chinese Bellflower:
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-BEW-tih-lon HY-brih-dum
- Description
-
Flowering Maple is a group of hybrids of uncertain origin in the mallow family (Malvaceae). They are tropical frost-tender flowering shrubs that can be grown outside year-round in zones 9 and 10. Genus name comes from the Arabic name for a mallow-like plant
These shrubs will grow 8-10 feet tall in tropical areas but 2-4 feet tall in colder sites. They grow best in rich, constantly moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Pinch back the stems to encourage bushiness and stronger stems. If growing them indoors prune in spring to control size and give them a sunny window.
The showy pendulous, bell- to cup-shaped flowers come in various colors. and are produced during the growing season. The trifoliate leaves resemble maple leaves.
Use these plants as a specimen, in borders, as an accent or as a container plant. They can be brought indoors for overwintering.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, thrips, mites, whitefly, and Pythium root rot are potential problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Ashford Red'
Deep red flowers - 'Boule de Neige'
White flowers - 'Kentish Belle'
Orange flowers - 'Nabob'
Red flowers - 'Pink Lady'
Pink flowers - 'Roseus'
Pink flowers - 'Savitzii'
Variegated leaves, apricot flowers - 'Souvenir de Bonn'
Orange flowers with red veins and variegated leaves - 'Twister'
Twisted Red Petals when closed - 'Variegatum'
- 'Voodoo'
Red flowers - 'White King'
White flowers
- 'Ashford Red'
- 'Ashford Red', 'Boule de Neige', 'Kentish Belle', 'Nabob', 'Pink Lady', 'Roseus', 'Savitzii', 'Souvenir de Bonn', 'Twister', 'Variegatum', 'Voodoo', 'White King'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Ashford Red'
Deep red flowers - 'Boule de Neige'
White flowers - 'Kentish Belle'
Orange flowers - 'Nabob'
Red flowers - 'Pink Lady'
Pink flowers - 'Roseus'
Pink flowers - 'Savitzii'
Variegated leaves, apricot flowers - 'Souvenir de Bonn'
Orange flowers with red veins and variegated leaves - 'Twister'
Twisted Red Petals when closed - 'Variegatum'
- 'Voodoo'
Red flowers - 'White King'
White flowers
- 'Ashford Red'
- 'Ashford Red', 'Boule de Neige', 'Kentish Belle', 'Nabob', 'Pink Lady', 'Roseus', 'Savitzii', 'Souvenir de Bonn', 'Twister', 'Variegatum', 'Voodoo', 'White King'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Abutilon
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Unsure- perhaps S. America
- Edibility:
- Flowers are edible raw or cooked with a sweet flavor
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are single in leaf axils, drooping, have 5 petals that are 2 inches long, and have stamens fused into a tubular column. Flowers are white, red, yellow, pink, or orange.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- This shrub has leaves that are alternate, simple, maple-like lobed, often variegated, with toothed margins (serrate to crenate) and a pointed tip.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems tend to be weak. Pinch back to promote stronger, compact plant.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
