Flowering Maple Abutilon 'Old Rose Belle'
ABOUT
Abutilon 'Old Rose Belle', commonly known as Flowering Maple, is an ornamental plant prized for its beautiful and distinctive blooms. It boasts broad, maple-like leaves that are a deep green in color, adding a lush backdrop to the flowers. The leaves often have a slightly serrated edge, which contributes to their maple leaf resemblance. The true splendor of the Flowering Maple 'Old Rose Belle' lies in its bell-shaped flowers. The blooms are a delicate, pale pink with subtle rose shades reminiscent of old roses, lending the plant a vintage charm. Each flower is comprised of five petals that are somewhat overlapping and have a tissue paper-like texture, adding to the plant's delicate appearance. Flowering Maple 'Old Rose Belle' flowers dangle from slender stalks, and their pendulous nature gives them an elegant appearance as they sway gently in the breeze. The blooms are complemented by slender, elongated seed pods that form after the flowers have been pollinated. Throughout the blooming season, this plant provides a continuous display that can be quite enchanting. The contrast between the soft, rose-toned blooms and the rich green foliage creates a harmonious and visually captivating display. This variety of Flowering Maple is favored in garden designs for its romantic flower color and graceful form.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Malvaceae.
Synonyms
Flowering Maple, Parlor Maple, Chinese Lantern.
Common names
Abutilon 'Old Rose Belle'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Abutilon 'Old Rose Belle', commonly referred to as Flowering Maple, is not known to be toxic to humans. There are no significant reports of poisoning or adverse reactions upon ingestion of this plant. However, as with many plants, it is advisable to avoid consuming parts of the Flowering Maple without proper knowledge or preparation.
To pets
The Flowering Maple is not considered toxic to pets. There are no widely recognized symptoms of poisoning in pets such as cats and dogs from ingesting this plant. Nonetheless, pet owners should always monitor their pets around plants and discourage them from chewing on any plant material, as individual animals may have unique sensitivities or allergic reactions.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
Spread
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South America
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Abutilon 'Old Rose Belle' offers attractive foliage and bell-shaped flowers, enhancing the visual aesthetics of gardens and indoor spaces.
- Wildlife Attraction: The blooms can attract hummingbirds and beneficial insects, promoting biodiversity.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and withstanding occasional droughts once established.
- Versatility: It can be cultivated both outdoors and indoors, making it suitable for a variety of landscaping and interior decorating scenarios.
- Fast Growth: The plant is known for its quick growth, allowing gardeners to establish a mature look in their garden in a relatively short time.
- Seasonal Interest: Provides year-round interest with evergreen leaves in warmer climates and seasonal flowers.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Abutilon 'Old Rose Belle', commonly known as flowering maple, can be used as a natural dye source. Its flowers impart a subtle yellow to pale green hue when used in fabric dyeing processes.
- The soft wood of the flowering maple can be used for making small handicrafts, including decorative items and light wooden jewelry.
- Flowering maple is often used in bonsai practices due to its attractive leaves, bell-shaped flowers, and ability to be pruned into various shapes.
- In frost-free regions, flowering maple serves as an evergreen component for hedging or screen planting, offering privacy and aesthetics.
- The plant's nectar-rich flowers can be utilized to attract and sustain beneficial insects, such as pollinators like bees and butterflies in a garden setting.
- Due to its dense foliage, flowering maple can act as a shelter plant for small birds and beneficial garden fauna seeking refuge from predators.
- Its striking flowers and leaves can be incorporated into floral arrangements and bouquets for a touch of exotic and tropical flair.
- When grown in containers, flowering maples can be moved to different areas of the garden or patio to accentuate particular themes or colors seasonally.
- The flowering maple's foliage and flowers can be used in educational settings to demonstrate various botanical concepts and plant physiology to students.
- Flowering maples are sometimes planted in butterfly gardens to contribute to the habitat's diversity, which supports the lifecycle of various butterfly species.
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- Delicate Beauty: The Abutilon 'Old Rose Belle', commonly known as Flowering Maple, has a subtle yet striking appearance with its bell-shaped flowers and soft hues, symbolizing refined and understated beauty.
- Protection: As Flowering Maple plants have maple-like leaves, they are sometimes associated with the protective symbolism of a tree's canopy, representing shelter and care.
- Warmth: The warm rose coloring of its blooms can symbolize comfort, warmth, and a nurturing presence, reminiscent of a cozy, welcoming home.
- Persistence: Flowering Maples can bloom almost all year-round in the right conditions, symbolizing perseverance and the ability to thrive despite challenges.
WaterThe flowering maple, commonly known as the Chinese lantern, requires consistent moisture, so water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Depending on the environment, this typically means watering once every week or so. It's crucial not to let the plant sit in waterlogged soil, so ensure good drainage. Aim for about one gallon of water each time, adjusting for particularly hot or dry conditions which may require slightly more frequent watering.
LightThe flowering maple thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. It can tolerate some direct sun, especially in the morning, but too much direct afternoon sun can scorch the leaves. A spot near an east or west-facing window is ideal, where it can enjoy some soft direct sunlight and plenty of bright ambient light.
TemperatureThe flowering maple prefers a comfortable room temperature range between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be protected from drafts and sudden temperature changes. The plant can tolerate a minimum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but growth may slow in cooler conditions.
PruningPrune the flowering maple to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth. Remove any dead or damaged branches, and trim back leggy growth in early spring before new growth begins. It's typically pruned once a year, but light pruning can be done anytime as needed to remove the occasional wayward branch.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFlowering Maple 'Old Rose Belle' prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7.5. A good mix would be equal parts peat, pine bark, and perlite or coarse sand, ensuring good aeration and moisture retention.
RepottingFlowering Maples should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. Increase the pot size if the roots have become crowded.
Humidity & MistingFlowering Maple 'Old Rose Belle' thrives at a humidity level of 50-60%. It enjoys moist air but can tolerate lower humidity levels with regular watering.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Flowering Maple in bright, indirect light, away from drafts.
Outdoor
Plant Flowering Maple in partial shade, shelter from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleThe Flowering Maple 'Old Rose Belle' begins its life cycle as a seed, germinating in warm soil with adequate moisture. Following germination, it develops into a seedling with a pair of true leaves. As a juvenile plant, it focuses on root expansion and foliage growth, becoming hardier and more established. The mature phase is marked by the development of characteristic maple-like leaves and bell-shaped, pinkish-rose flowers that bloom predominantly in the warmer months. Once pollinated, the flowers produce seeds, and the plant invests energy in seed maturation. Finally, as it reaches the end of its lifecycle, the Flowering Maple 'Old Rose Belle' may experience reduced vigor and flowering, potentially succumbing to environmental stresses or old age, completing its life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating Abutilon 'Old Rose Belle', commonly known as Flowering Maple, is through semi-ripe stem cuttings. This process is typically done in late summer. To propagate by stem cuttings, a healthy, non-flowering shoot is selected, and a four to six-inch cutting is taken just below a leaf node. The lower leaves are removed, and the cutting is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. Then the cutting is placed in a well-draining soil mix within a pot. The environment should be kept humid by enclosing the pot in a plastic bag or placing it in a propagator. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the new plant can be gradually acclimatized to less humid conditions before being transplanted to its final location.
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