Abutilon vitifolium
(Chilean Tree Mallow)
Family - Malvaceae
Category - Shrub
Origin - Chile
Year of Introduction - 1837
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H4
Height - 3m
Width - up to 2.5m
Location - The Cool Garden
Description: A large, Deciduous Shrub with an upright, bushy habit. Downy, grey-green to mid-green leaves are ovate in outline with 3 to 5 lobes and have coarsely toothed margins. Pretty, saucer-shaped flowers are violet-blue and gradually fade to pale violet with age. At the centre of each Bloom is a showy cluster of long stamens with golden Anthers. The flowers are produced in small clusters at the tips of the stems and are produced from late spring through the summer.
Flower:
Saucer-shaped flowers are violet-blue and gradually fade to pale violet with age. At the centre of each bloom is a prominent cluster of long stamens with golden anthers. The flowers are produced in clusters of 3-4 at the tips of the stems and are produced from May into August. Flowering is most prolific in late spring and early summer.
Flower colour: Violet-blue
Flower shape: Saucer-shaped flowers in clusters
Flowering time: May, June, July, August
Foliage:
Downy, grey-green to mid-green leaves are ovate in outline with 3-5 lobes and have Dentate margins. The leaves are Alternately arranged on upright, felted stems.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Ovate, lobed
Propagation:
Cuttings, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in a sheltered position in full sun in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.