Flowering Maple Abutilon 'Canary Bird'
ABOUT
The Canary Bird plant features a graceful shrub-like appearance with arching branches that elegantly showcase its ornamental qualities. It is adorned with heart-shaped, softly hairy leaves that provide a lush green backdrop for its stunning floral display. The foliage serves as a perfect stage for the plant's true spectacle – the bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers that resemble a canary's plumage in both color and vibrance. These striking flowers dangle delicately from the stems, creating an enchanting effect that is a magnet for pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. The contrast between the vivid yellow blossoms and the green leaves is reminiscent of a canary perched amidst verdant foliage, lending the plant its common name. The overall appearance of the Canary Bird plant is one of cheerful exuberance, bringing a splash of sunny color to any garden or landscape.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Malvaceae
Synonyms
Canary Bird Flowering Maple, Canary Bird Chinese Lantern
Common names
Abutilon 'Canary Bird'.
ToxicityTo humans
The flowering maple, commonly known as Abutilon 'Canary Bird', is not considered toxic to humans. Therefore, there are no symptoms of poisoning associated with this plant as it is typically deemed safe and non-toxic if ingested.
To pets
The flowering maple, commonly known as Abutilon 'Canary Bird', is also not considered toxic to pets such as cats and dogs. This means that ingestion of the plant should not result in any symptoms of poisoning, making it generally safe around household pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: Abutilon 'Canary Bird' is known to attract bees and butterflies, which help pollinate other plants in the garden.
- Ornamental value: With its distinctive yellow bell-shaped flowers, it adds visual interest and aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Shade tolerance: It can thrive in a variety of light conditions, including partial shade, making it a versatile choice for different garden locations.
- Low maintenance: The plant is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and being tolerant of a range of soil conditions.
- Fast growth: It grows quickly, which makes it a good choice for gardeners looking to establish plantings in a short period of time.
- Extended blooming season: The plant has a long flowering period, providing color and interest in the garden for much of the year.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, Abutilon 'Canary Bird' can tolerate periods of drought, making it suitable for xeriscaping or gardens in dry climates.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- The fibers from Abutilon 'Canary Bird' can be used in basket weaving due to their strength and flexibility, providing a natural material for handcrafted items.
- This plant's vibrant yellow flowers can serve as a natural dye for fabrics, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes.
- Leaves of the Canary Bird may be used in the creation of eco-friendly leaf plates, which are biodegradable and can reduce plastic waste.
- The wood from Abutilon 'Canary Bird' can be used to make small handcrafted wooden objects such as decorative items and utensils due to its workable nature.
- Abutilon 'Canary Bird' can contribute to biodiversity when planted in gardens, attracting beneficial insects like bees and butterflies for pollination.
- The plant can be used in educational settings to teach botany and horticulture, showcasing its growth habit and flower development.
- Dried Canary Bird flowers can be incorporated into potpourri mixes for a natural fragrance in homes.
- Its stems can be employed as natural ties in the garden, for staking other plants due to their fibrous and somewhat sturdy quality.
- Canary Bird can be used as a living fence or privacy screen in mild climates, creating a year-round green barrier when pruned correctly.
- Pressed Canary Bird flowers and leaves can be used for herbarium collections or to create artistic botanical prints and décor elements.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Abutilon, also known as Flowering Maple, is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Abutilon, also known as Flowering Maple, is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection - The Abutilon 'Canary Bird', commonly known as Flowering Maple, often symbolizes protection because of its maple-like leaves that create a shield-like canopy.
- Delicate Beauty - The Canary Bird's bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers convey a sense of gentle and delicate beauty.
- Safety - As a plant often found sheltering birds within its foliage, the Flowering Maple represents a safe haven or refuge.
- Warmth - The warm hue of its yellow flowers is frequently associated with sunshine and the warmth of the human soul.
- Subtlety - The understated elegance of the plant's appearance suggests a symbolic meaning of subtlety and understatement.
WaterThe flowering maple, which is the most common common name for Abutilon 'Canary Bird', should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. It generally requires watering every week, but this can vary depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. During the growing season, provide it with about 16 ounces of water per watering, ensuring it's watered deeply but not so much that there is standing water, which can lead to root rot. In winter, reduce watering but never let the soil become completely dry.
LightThe flowering maple thrives in bright, indirect light. It can tolerate some direct sunlight, but too much can scorch its leaves, so a spot that receives morning sunlight with afternoon shade is ideal. If you have a south-facing or west-facing window, that can be a good location as long as the light is filtered with a sheer curtain.
TemperatureThe flowering maple prefers temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and should not be exposed to temperatures below this for extended periods. The plant can handle higher temperature for short durations but its ideal growing condition is within that comfortable household range.
PruningThe flowering maple benefits from pruning to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Prune in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Deadheading spent flowers and pinching back long stems are good practices to keep the plant full and healthy. Pruning every year or when the plant looks leggy will promote a well-shaped plant with vigorous growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFor the Flowering Maple (Abutilon 'Canary Bird'), the best soil mix is well-draining and fertile, with added organic matter such as compost or peat. It thrives in a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH being ideal for optimal growth.
RepottingThe Flowering Maple should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it becomes root-bound. Spring is the best time to repot to allow the plant to recover during the growing season.
Humidity & MistingThe Flowering Maple prefers moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40% to 60%. Avoid placing it in excessively dry environments to maintain its lush foliage.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Flowering Maple in bright, indirect light indoors.
Outdoor
Grow Flowering Maple in partial shade to full sun outside.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Flowering Maple (Abutilon 'Canary Bird') begins with germination, where seeds sprout in warm, moist soil conditions, typically in the spring. The seedlings develop into juvenile plants with lobed green leaves and a bushy growth habit. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage, where yellow, bell-shaped flowers bloom throughout the warmer months, attracting pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers produce dry, seed-containing capsules that release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. The Flowering Maple is a perennial, so it will enter a period of dormancy in the winter, with reduced growth and fewer or no flowers. With proper care, such as pruning and protection from frost, the plant will resume vigorous growth and flowering in the subsequent growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Abutilon 'Canary Bird', commonly known as Flowering Maple, is through semi-ripe cuttings taken during the summer months. To perform this method, a gardener would select a healthy, non-flowering shoot and cut a piece approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, just below a leaf node. The lower leaves are then stripped, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. This cutting is then planted in a mix of potting soil and perlite or sand to ensure good drainage. The container should be placed in a warm environment with indirect light and kept consistently moist. Roots typically develop within a few weeks, after which the new plants can be gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions and eventually potted on or planted out when they are sufficiently established.
