Abutilon 'Thompsonii' (Abutilon pictum 'Thompsonii')

Flowering maple 'Thompsonii' (Abutilon pictum 'Thompsonii') is a striking cultivar of the flowering maple, prized for its variegated foliage and bell-shaped, orange-veined flowers. A member of the Malvaceae family, it's a long-blooming, tender shrub for containers and mild climates.

Description

Upright, branching shrub 4–6 feet tall (smaller in pots). Leaves are maple-like, 3–5 lobed, green with irregular creamy-white to yellow margins and splashes. Flowers are pendant, bell-shaped, 1.5–2 inches, pale orange with deep orange veins, borne in leaf axils. Blooms nearly year-round in warmth; spring to frost elsewhere.

Growing Conditions

• Zones: 9–11 outdoors; grown as container plant elsewhere.
• Light: Bright, indirect light to part shade. Morning sun ok. Variegation best in bright light.
• Soil: Well-drained, rich, moist.
• Water: Keep evenly moist; allow surface to dry slightly.
• Temperature: 65–75°F (18–24°C); damaged below 40°F (4°C).

Care & Maintenance

Pinch for bushiness. Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer. Prune in late winter to shape. Overwinter indoors in bright light. Propagate from cuttings. Remove reverted (solid green) shoots.

Uses

Containers, hanging baskets, conservatories, mild-climate shrub borders. Hummingbird attractor. Variegated foliage adds interest out of bloom.

Potential Issues

Whiteflies, spider mites, aphids. Root rot in wet soil. Leaf drop from dry air or cold. Reversion to green.

A dual-purpose beauty: maple-like variegated leaves and dainty orange-veined bells.