Michael Charters, www.calflora.net
Family
Malvaceae
Botanical Name
ABUTILON sonneratianum
Plant Common Name
Butter and Cheese, Sweet Forest Abutilon
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Abutilon, commonly called flowering maple, embodies approximately 150 species and many more cultivated varieties. These may be annuals, perennials or shrubs and naturally exist in sub-tropical to tropical regions globally. Many perennial species and shrubs are grown as a tender perennial for containers and annual flower beds. Common hybrid forms arise from crosses between the two parent species, Abutilon darwinii and Abutilon pictum.
While growing conditions are favorable abutilons are usually everblooming. In general, they bear profuse small, showy, hibiscus-like flowers in shades of white, red, yellow and orange. These are tend to be pendulous and may attract hummingbirds, bees, birds or bats, depending on the species. Their leaves are commonly maple-like, evergreen to semi-evergreen, lightly fuzzy and green to gray-green in color.
Overall, abutilons grow best in sites with full to partial sun and rich, soil with good drainage and even moisture. Use is dependent on the species, but many cultivated varieties make fine shrubs for mixed borders or tender bedding plants for containers and flower gardens.
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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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
World/Pandemic
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Yellow, Red, Orange, Pink, Peach, Dark Red, Copper, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Gray Green, Dark 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 Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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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
