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Abutilon pictum 'Thompsonii'

Image of Abutilon pictum 'Thompsonii'

James H. Schutte

Family

Malvaceae

Botanical Name

Abutilon pictum 'Thompsonii'

Plant Common Name

Indian Mallow, Thompson's Flowering Maple

General Description

This is one of the most popular flowering maples in cultivation. It is best known for its green maple-like leaves that are speckled with yellow. This ever-blooming, evergreen shrub is commonly grown as a bedding plant in temperate zones and also boasts lovely hibiscus-like flowers of salmon orange. ‘Thompsonii’ attains a more upright form than the parent species, which hails from Brazil.

This easy to cultivate plant grows best in sites with partial sun and rich, well-drained soil with even moisture. In its northernmost range, it may die back to the ground much like an herbaceous perennial. In these conditions, it is best not to prune back its dead stems until early spring. This helps it better establish itself. In the far north, it can be planted as a tender bedding plant for the garden or a container and also works well as a houseplant. Where hardy, it is best planted as a foundation plant or in a shrub border.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    10 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    8 - 10

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m

  • Width

    4'-8' / 1.2m - 2.4m

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    World/Pandemic

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Yellow, Red, Orange, Pink, Peach, Dark Red, Copper, Bronze

  • Fruit Color

    Tan

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Gray Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Variegated, Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Gray Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Variegated, Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Gray Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Variegated, Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Gray Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    Variegated, SpottedMottled

  • Bark Color

    Tan, Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds, Hummingbirds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes