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[2nd Image]
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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Malvaceae (Mallows) |
| Origin: Chile (South America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red |
| Bloomtime: Year-round |
| Parentage: (A. darwinii x A. striatum) |
| Height: 6-8 feet |
| Width: 4-5 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Abutilon x hybridum 'Nabob' (Red Flowering Maple) - This floriferous flowering maple, so named for the trifoliate leaf that resembles a maple, was the result of hybridizing two Brazilian species of Abutilon (A. darwinii and A. striatum). It is a fast growing upright plant with a central leader that can reach to 8 to 10 feet tall, but can be keep smaller by an annual pruning. It has large very dark green foliage and year-round are produced the 3 inch wide hanging bell shaped flowers with incurved petals that are an incredible dark maroon color. Plant in full to part sun along the coast but give some shelter from the sun inland. Plants in full sun require regular irrigation but in more shade Abutilon is somewhat drought tolerant. Hardy and evergreen to 25° F but can defoliate and survive to at least 20° F (In our garden in 1990 this plant was undamaged at 18° F). As with other Abutilon, keep vigilant on pest problems (white fly particularly) and trim out lanky stems and tip back plants in the spring to keep manageable. A good plant for attracting hummingbirds. This plant received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
The description above is based on our research and observations of this plant growing in our nursery and in our own and other Santa Barbara gardens. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information or disagrees with what we have written.
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