Flowering Maple Abutilon 'Linda Vista Peach'
ABOUT
Abutilon 'Linda Vista Peach', commonly referred to as Flowering Maple or Chinese Lantern, is a plant known for its attractive, bell-shaped flowers that have a delicate, peachy hue. The blooms are made up of five overlapping petals that form a cup-like structure. They dangle gracefully from slender stems and provide a soft contrast to the dark green foliage. The leaves of the Flowering Maple are maple-like in appearance, with a slightly heart-shaped base and pointed tips. They exhibit a serrated edge and a somewhat glossy surface that catches the light. This plant's overall appearance is one of gentle color and pleasing, rounded shapes, which gives it a charming presence in any garden or as an ornamental container plant.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Malvaceae
Synonyms
Flowering Maple, Chinese Lantern, Indian Mallow, Velvet Leaf
Common names
Abutilon 'Linda Vista Peach'.
ToxicityTo humans
Flowering Maple is not known to be toxic to humans. However, it is generally not considered edible and ingestion should be avoided. There is no well-documented toxicity or symptoms associated with ingesting Flowering Maple, but as with any non-food plant, consumption could potentially cause stomach discomfort or an allergic reaction in some individuals.
To pets
Flowering Maple is not known to be toxic to pets. It is not listed by the ASPCA or other leading pet safety organizations as a plant that is commonly toxic to cats, dogs, or other household animals. Therefore, no specific symptoms of poisoning are generally expected. However, ingestion of non-food plants can sometimes result in mild gastrointestinal upset for pets, such as vomiting or diarrhea. It's always best to discourage pets from eating plants that are not intended for consumption.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Peach
Height
5 feet (1.52 meters)
Spread
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: The plant's flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden, helping to cultivate a healthy ecosystem.
- Ornamental Beauty: With its peach-colored, bell-shaped flowers, the 'Linda Vista Peach' adds aesthetic value to any garden or landscape.
- Adaptable to Containers: It can be easily grown in pots or containers, making it suitable for balconies, patios, and indoor settings.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has good drought tolerance, requiring less frequent watering and reducing maintenance efforts.
- Rapid Growth: Offers the advantage of quick growth, rapidly filling garden spaces and providing desired coverage or a visual focal point.
- Easy Propagation: It can be easily propagated through cuttings, allowing gardeners to create more plants economically.
- Long Blooming Season: This cultivar often enjoys a long flowering season, providing prolonged enjoyment of its blooms.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Abutilon hybridum 'Linda Vista Peach', commonly known as Flowering Maple, can be used as a natural dye source, particularly from its peach-colored flowers which can impart subtle color to fabrics.
- With its broad and heart-shaped leaves, the Flowering Maple can be used in art projects, such as leaf pressing, to create botanical prints or patterns.
- The stems of the Flowering Maple are somewhat flexible and can be used in basket weaving, lending a decorative touch to handcrafted baskets.
- The Flowering Maple's flowers, being brightly colored and nectar-rich, can be used as a natural lure in the garden to attract and observe pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- When grown in large, decorative pots, the Flowering Maple can add an artistic element to patio design, with its flowers offering a soft peach hue to the overall color scheme.
- The dried leaves and petals of the Flowering Maple can be used in potpourri mixes to add a gentle, natural aroma to living spaces.
- Cuttings from the Flowering Maple can be used in floral arrangements, providing an unusual, soft peach-tone accent that is not commonly found in traditional floral design.
- During festive seasons, the branches and flowers of the Flowering Maple can be used to create unique, garden-inspired holiday decorations.
- Educational projects on plant biology can utilize the Flowering Maple to demonstrate principles of growth, flowering, and pruning techniques in botany classes.
- The Flowering Maple's non-toxic nature makes it safe for use in enclosed environments where pets or children might be present, adding both beauty and peace of mind to such settings.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Flowering Maple is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Flowering Maple is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Inner peace: The soft peach color of the Abutilon 'Linda Vista Peach', commonly known as the Flowering Maple, is often associated with calm and tranquility, symbolizing a state of inner peace.
- Delicate beauty: With its bell-shaped flowers and tender hues, this plant is often seen as a symbol of gentle and understated beauty.
- Warmth: The warm peach tones of its flowers can symbolize warmth in emotions and relationships, suggesting a welcoming and nurturing presence.
- Balance: The Flowering Maple is known for its balanced growth and the symmetry of its leaves and flowers, making it a symbol for balance and stability in life.
- Protection: In some cultures, the Abutilon is thought to symbolize protection because of its maple-like leaves that provide shade and shelter, reminiscent of a guardian or protective figure.
- Feminine energy: The delicate appearance of this plant is often associated with feminine qualities and energies, symbolizing grace and softness.
WaterFlowering Maple, commonly known as Abutilon 'Linda Vista Peach', should be watered deeply and thoroughly, allowing the water to reach the root zone. During the active growing season in spring and summer, water approximately once or twice a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons, depending on weather conditions and soil drainage. Reduce watering frequency in the fall and water sparingly in winter, when plant growth slows down, ensuring that the soil dries slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. Always check the top inch of the soil for dryness before watering again.
LightFlowering Maple prefers bright, indirect light to flourish, making it ideal for an east-facing window where it gets mild morning sunlight and shade during the intense afternoon sun. It can also thrive under bright artificial light or in a shaded spot outside where it receives filtered sunlight, avoiding the full midday sun that can scorch its leaves.
TemperatureFlowering Maples require temperatures generally between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth, as they thrive in mild climates. They can withstand a brief dip to about 50 degrees but should not be exposed to temperatures below freezing. The ideal range of 65 to 75 degrees helps ensure healthy development and flowering.
PruningPrune Flowering Maple in late winter or early spring to encourage bushier growth and more abundant blooms. Remove any dead or damaged branches and trim the plant to maintain its shape. Pruning can be done annually, trimming back up to one-third of the plant's size to rejuvenate and stimulate new growth before the growing season begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Flowering Maple (Abutilon 'Linda Vista Peach') thrives best in a well-draining soil mix composed of equal parts peat, pine bark, and perlite or coarse sand. This particular plant prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ideally ranging from 6.0 to 7.0, for optimal growth and flowering.
RepottingFlowering Maples, like the 'Linda Vista Peach', should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to prevent root-bound conditions and replenish nutrients. Repotting is best done during the springtime before the onset of the growing season.
Humidity & MistingFlowering Maple plants prefer moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40-60%. Maintaining a humid environment will help keep the 'Linda Vista Peach' healthy and encourage lush foliage and flowering.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright indirect light, keep soil moderately moist.
Outdoor
Place in partial shade, protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life of the 'Linda Vista Peach' Abutilon, commonly known as Flowering Maple, begins with germination, where seeds sprout in warm, moist soil conditions, usually in the spring. Following germination, the seedling stage sees the growth of the first roots and leaves as the plant establishes itself. The vegetative stage is next, where the plant rapidly grows new leaves and branches in preparation for flowering, and with adequate sunlight and care, it matures and enters the flowering stage. During flowering, which may occur intermittarily throughout the year in mild climates, the plant produces peach-colored, bell-shaped flowers that are attractive to pollinators. After pollination, the flowering stage leads to fruit development, where seed pods form that eventually dry and release seeds for the next generation. Finally, in the perennial habit of 'Linda Vista Peach' Abutilon, the plant may enter a period of dormancy in colder months, curtailing growth until conditions become favorable again.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating the Abutilon 'Linda Vista Peach', commonly known as the Flowering Maple, is through semi-ripe stem cuttings. This is ideally done during the warmer months, from late spring through to summer, when the plant is actively growing. To propagate, cut a 4 to 6-inch-long (approximately 10 to 15 cm) segment of stem from a healthy parent plant just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage growth, and then plant the cutting in a pot filled with a mix of peat and perlite or a well-draining potting mix. Ensure that the pot is kept in a warm, well-lit area but out of direct sunlight, and maintain the moisture without overwatering. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, at which point the new Flowering Maple can gradually acclimate to normal growing conditions.
