- Botanical Name
- Abutilon x hybridum
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Plant Type
- Evergreen shrub
- Size (HxW)
- ‘Boule de Neige’: 1-3m x 1-3m. ‘Lucky Lantern Pink’: 50-70cm x 50-70cm. ‘Tangerine’, ‘Red’: 20-50cm x 20-50cm.
- Depth & Spacing
- Plant at the same depth as in the pot with roots spread just below soil surface, see above for spacing. Closer for a more immediate effect.
- Soil
- Moderately fertile to humus rich, well drained soil.
- Aspect
- Full sun to semi shade, protect from hot afternoon sun.
- Climate
- Cool to Sub Tropical
- Frost
- Half hardy, protect while young. If you get hard frosts it is best that they are protected.
- Water
- Water to establish, then only if rainfall is low. Don’t forget it takes plants around four to six weeks for their roots to penetrate out into the surrounding soil where they can gain better access to nutrients and water, so you need to water regularly.
- Fertiliser
- As they establish, ideally you could add some fertiliser and mulch in spring to keep them looking good.
- Flowering Time
- Year round, predominantly spring to autumn.
- After Flower Care
- Quick to grow, responds well to pruning, ideally done in winter when flowering slows.
- Notes
- A nice feature shrub, or hedge or potted plant. They don’t have a super long life (five years) but they will usually produce offspring to succeed their throne without you having to lift a finger. The flowers are edible.