Abutilon is a subtle beauty

Abutilon is an attractive evergreen shrub that produces a mass of drooping flowers with large maple-like foliage. This unique easy-care, semi-tropical looking plant provides lots of colour in the garden.

Abutilon, also known as Chinese Lanterns due to the shape of their flowers, are attractive shrubs mostly growing to 1–2m tall. Their pendulous, hibiscus-like flowers come in lovely shades of white, orange, yellow and pink and variegated varieties with mottled foliage are available.

How to grow Abutilon in a garden

Choose a sunny or partly shaded spot in the garden and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food.

Dig a hole in the prepared area, place the plant in the bottom of the planting hole, gently backfill around the plant’s root ball with soil then water well.

Reapply Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food around the root zone every eight weeks from spring until mid autumn to promote good soil health.

Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, woodchips or pea straw and water in well.

During times of new leaf growth and flowering, feed each week with Yates Thrive Natural Roses Flowers Organic Based Pelletised Plant Food.

How to grow Abutilon in a pot

Choose a pot at least 300mm wide and deep. Position in full sun or part shade.

Fill chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.

Plant, backfill gently with potting mix and water in well. Feed weekly with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food.

During times of new leaf growth and flowering, feed each week with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Growing tips

Abutilons can be pruned in late winter to keep growth in check; tip: prune young plants to promote bushiness and flowering.

— Courtesy of Yates