Horticultural literature has long treated the sprawling family of tender, semi-evergreen “flowering maples” as an intimidating maze of distinct garden plants. In reality, these cultivars are variations on a single, glorious theme. Rather than exhibiting radically different garden behaviors, named abutilons are selected chiefly for their bell-shaped blossoms, striking variegated leaves, or eccentric floral architecture….

Gardeners tracking down the exotic charm of a classic flowering maple have historically run into the same space-consuming roadblock: most traditional varieties stretch out into floppy, sprawling shrubs that quickly overwhelm a modest patio or indoor alcove. The Abutilon × hybridum ‘Bella’ series completely rewrites that narrative. Bred intentionally to challenge the boundaries of the…

Abutilon × hybridum ‘Bella Red’ is a genuinely dwarf flowering maple, a distinct genetic miniature rather than a standard, vigorous hybrid temporarily held in check by a pair of pruners. In a single growing season, this compact powerhouse tops out at a modest 1 to 1.5 feet (30–45 cm), shaping itself into a tidy, dense…

With its striking cream-and-gold splashed leaves and pendulous scarlet bells, Abutilon ‘Cannington Carol’ is far more than a simple flowering shrub. This compact, evergreen flowering maple is a true foliage-first masterpiece, engineered to deliver high-impact color to the garden even when it isn’t in bloom. Developed in the 1970s at Somerset’s renowned Cannington College, this…

Few shrubs command attention quite like Abutilon megapotamicum ‘Variegatum’. This distinctive, semi-evergreen beauty is widely celebrated for its elegant, trailing habit and a seemingly endless parade of lantern-like blooms. Each pendant flower showcases striking crimson-red calyxes contrasted against bright yellow petals. Combined with luminous gold-and-green variegated foliage, its lax, arching growth makes it an exceptional…

While most flowering maples win their real estate on the patio or windowsill through their blossoms alone, Abutilon pictum ‘Gold Dust’ turns that traditional hierarchy right on its head. This spectacular evergreen shrub is first and foremost a foliage masterpiece, dressed in a radiant, chartreuse-and-gold canopy that commands attention even when not in bloom. When…

If you judge a plant by its ability to command attention before a single blossom opens, Abutilon ‘Souvenir de Bonn’ belongs at the very top of your wish list. This heirloom flowering maple is a masterclass in visual texture, grown just as much for its architectural, brightly bordered leaves as for its structural, lantern-like flowers….

Few plants capture the imagination quite like the flowering maples, and among this luminous group, Abutilon ‘Canary Bird’ stands as an absolute masterpiece. This isn’t just another yellow-flowered shrub; it is a living heirloom. Distinguished by its pure lemon-yellow, trumpet-shaped blossoms, a beautifully rounded habit, and a coveted Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden…

Few shrubs bridge the gap between historical romance and sheer garden utility quite like Abutilon ‘Kentish Belle’. Long recognized by the Royal Horticultural Society with the prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM), this vintage cultivar is celebrated for its robust vigor, lax, arching silhouette, and a virtually non-stop parade of bi-colored blossoms. For gardeners in…

What is Abutilon? Belonging to the diverse mallow family (Malvaceae), the genus Abutilon comprises an enchanting mix of annuals, tender subshrubs, and woody shrubs. Despite the striking resemblance of their softly lobed foliage to true maples, these plants are entirely unrelated to the Acer family. Instead, they trace their roots to the sun-drenched tropical and…