Flowering-maple (Abutilon 'Moonchimes')
Abutilon 'Moonchimes', a low-maintenance, semi-tropical Flowering-maple, offers soft yellow, pendulous flowers. Ideal for containers and borders in Zones 9-10.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’, commonly known as Flowering-maple, provides unique, lantern-like blooms throughout the growing season, making it a cherished addition to semi-tropical and container gardens. This cultivar is easily recognized by its soft yellow, pendulous flowers contrasting nicely with its maple-like, light green foliage. Gardeners appreciate Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ for its relatively low maintenance requirements.
As a semi-tropical shrub in its native environment (USDA Zones 9-10), Flowering-maple generally behaves as a compact, 2 to 3-foot perennial or small shrub. In colder regions, it serves beautifully as a seasonal annual or an elegant houseplant. Consistent moisture management is key to success with Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’.
The characteristic bell- or cup-shaped flowers are a defining feature of this Malvaceae family member. Whether used in borders or tucked into pots, the continuous bloom cycle of the Flowering-maple ensures season-long color and visual interest, deserving a prominent spot in your landscape planning.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Malvaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Soft yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ in rich, well-drained soils that maintain medium moisture levels. While they tolerate full sun, they thrive best with morning sun and some afternoon shade, especially during hot summers, to prevent foliage wilt. In colder zones where they are grown as annuals, plant after the last threat of frost has passed.
Watering is crucial for this plant; Flowering-maple abhors drying out and requires consistently moist soil—never allow it to become drought-stressed. Pruning young plants is recommended; pinch the stem tips regularly to encourage a bushier, stronger, and more compact habit, mitigating the naturally weak stem structure of some varieties.
For gardeners in Zones 9 and 10, these hybrids can remain in the ground year-round. If you are growing Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ indoors over winter, ensure it receives plenty of bright, direct sun and cooler temperatures for best overwintering results. Take tip cuttings in late summer if necessary to propagate new plants for the following season.
Landscape Uses
The versatile nature of the Flowering-maple makes it well-suited for numerous aesthetic roles within the garden design. Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ excels when utilized in beds, borders, and especially in containers, window boxes, or pots where its size remains easily manageable.
When placed near structures that receive morning sun, the delicate yellow blooms of this variety provide a lovely, cascading accent. Consider pairing them with foliage plants that contrast well—perhaps dark green shrubs or silver-leafed companions—to really make the soft yellow flowers of the Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ stand out. They transplant easily, allowing flexibility in mixed annual or perennial displays.
This plant functions excellently as a thriller element in mixed container arrangements or as a specimen plant on patios where its unique blooms can be admired up close throughout the season.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Abutilon is a large genus in the Mallow family, and Flowering maple (Abutilon × hybridum) hybrids like Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ are celebrated for their semi-tropical appearance. Lantern-like buds mature into solitary, pendulous, bell- to cup-shaped flowers reaching about 3 inches in diameter, typical of the mallow family structure. The specific ‘Moonchimes’ cultivar produces striking soft yellow, 2-inch flowers situated above dark green foliage, offering continuous seasonal bloom.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Potential insect issues commonly target Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’, especially when grown in stressful conditions or indoors. Watch closely for infestations of whitefly, scale insects, and spider mites, which can rapidly weaken the plant. Indoors, mealybugs may appear.
Fungal and viral diseases are also possibilities; keep an eye out for signs of root rot, rust, and leaf spot, as well as abutilon mosaic virus. To mitigate these problems, always ensure excellent air circulation, water correctly at the base rather than overhead, and promptly isolate any plant showing signs of mosaic infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Flowering-maple suitable for?
Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ is winter hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 10, allowing it to be grown as a perennial shrub year-round in those regions.
How large does Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ grow?
This variety typically reaches a mature height between 2 and 3 feet, with a complementary spread of 2 to 3 feet, making it a moderately compact shrub.
What sun exposure does Flowering-maple need?
Flowering-maple prefers full sun to part shade conditions. For best performance, especially in very hot climates, position it where it receives morning sun but is protected from intense, direct afternoon light.
When does Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ bloom?
Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ is classified as a seasonal bloomer, generally flowering profusely throughout the growing season, displaying beautiful soft yellow blossoms.
Conclusion
The combination of low maintenance, continuous seasonal flowering, and unique bell-shaped soft yellow blooms makes Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ an exceptional choice for patios, borders, and containers. Ensure your location offers the proper moisture and light balance for this delicate Flowering-maple. Before planting, confirm that your local USDA zone supports its survival outdoors, or plan to bring your Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ inside for the winter.
Companion Planting with Flowering-maple
When designing landscapes around Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’, selecting partners with similar needs for consistent moisture and similar light requirements is beneficial. Companion plants featuring deep greens, blues, or silver foliage will allow the signature soft yellow flowers of the Flowering-maple to pop visually. Consider planting beneath taller structures to capture that necessary dappled afternoon shade.
Good companions include plants like Coleus, which thrive in partial shade and offer fantastic textural contrast, or various annual impatiens for a low-growing carpet of color beneath taller potted Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’. Ensure that all companions share the medium water needs; avoid pairing with drought-tolerant succulents or natives that demand dry soil.
Container Growing Tips
Growing Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’ in containers is highly recommended, particularly for gardeners outside of Zones 9-10 who wish to treat it either as a seasonal annual or an overwintered houseplant. Utilize containers that are appropriately sized—starting slightly larger than the nursery pot—and always ensure impeccable drainage is provided.
Since container soil dries out faster than garden beds, vigilance concerning watering is even more crucial for containerized Flowering-maple plants. Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix amended perhaps with some compost for nutrient retention. Fertilizing regularly during the active growing season will support the continuous bloom cycle of your Abutilon ‘Moonchimes’.
