Are you looking for something different for a fall display in your containers? Check out Abutilon ‘Dwarf Red’...it celebrates autumn with multitudes of dark orange flowers, and can, if brought indoors and kept in a sun filled space, will continue to carry on the show.
We grow a number of Abutilon selections in containers which we bring indoors once the cold sets in, but if we were asked which form to grow, Abutilon ‘Dwarf Red‘ tops the list. It stays bushy and compact ( it has A. megapotamicum in its lineage) when grown in 4-6 hours of sun and blooms continuously with the biggest show in late summer and fall. We have been caught off guard when a frosty night has brought temperatures below 32F, and found that ‘Dwarf Red’ came through unfazed.
Some things to know about Abutilon. It is commonly known as Flowering Maple, and is a semi-tropical shrub with lovely pendant bell-shaped flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds. The flower display can continue year round when grown in bright light and temperatures above 45F, but in our experience, the flower display in autumn is most generous. Often listed as winter hardy in zones 9-10, we have been hearing that hardiness in zones 7b-8 is not unheard of when plants are grown in a protected spot with good drainage.
CARE: Abutilons like to be fed regularly for good flower output We use a fish emulsion/seaweed blend (Neptune’s Harvest 2-6-4 blend) every 2 weeks. allow the soil to become somewhat dry between waterings. Purchase online.
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