Family
Malvaceae
Botanical Name
ABUTILON megapotamicum 'Variegatum'
Plant Common Name
Flowering Maple, Variegated Flowering Maple
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Variegated trailing abutilon is an ever-blooming tender perennial or shrub that bears profuse small, showy, hibiscus-like flowers among yellow and green foliage. A native of Brazil, it has oval or lance-shaped leaves with jagged edges or tiny lobes. It is evergreen to semi-evergreen with lightly fuzzy and green to gray-green leaves with yellow mottlings. It attains a rounded shape with its spreading, slightly arching and slender branches. In the heat of summer and autumn the branches reveal many pendent flowers that are comprised of a red calyx protecting the small yellow petals.
Variegated trailing abutilon grows best in sites with part-sun and rich, well drained soil with even moisture. In areas that receive heavy winter frosts, it is best not to prune back dead foliage until early spring so that the plant will better establish as a perennial. Use as a container plant, hanging basket specimen, a broad informal hedge or in mixed beds and borders.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
10 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 10
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2'-6' / 0.6m - 1.8m
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Width
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Brazil
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow, Red
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Fruit Color
Tan, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Yellow, Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated, Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Yellow, Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated, Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated, Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Yellow, Green, Gray Green
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Bark Color
Tan, Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Birds, Hummingbirds
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Self-Sowing
Yes