Chinese Lantern (Chinese Bellflower, Flowering Maple, Indian Mallow)
Abutilon X hybridum (formerly Abutilon hybrids) (MALVACEAE)
Planting and Growing Chinese Lantern
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow Chinese lantern, Chinese bellflower, flowering maple, or Indian mallow in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and seeds of Chinese lantern, Chinese bellflower, flowering maple, or Indian mallow
- Growing conditions for Chinese lantern
- When and where to plant Chinese lantern
- How to plant Chinese lantern
- How to shape, prune and control growth of Chinese lantern
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of Chinese lantern
- Landscape uses of Chinese lantern)
- Pest and disease control for Chinese lantern
Growing Chinese Lantern
Several hybrid cultigens of fast-growing, short-lived, open, arching, deciduous shrubs, 3–5 ft. (90–150 cm) tall and wide, with alternate, smooth, maplelike, green or variegated, simple or lobed, pointed leaves, 2–6 in. (50–150 mm) long, turning yellow in autumn.
Chinese Lantern Planting and Care Guide
Flowers and Seeds
Many showy, bell- or cup-shaped, nodding, orange, pink, red, white, yellow flowers, to 2 in. (50 mm) long, in spring.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 7–11; ground hardy, zones 9–11. Tender.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist to damp, well-drained humus. Fertility: Rich–average. 6.0–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun to partial shade. Space 3–5 ft. (90–150 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Moderate. Keep moist; allow soil surface to dry between waterings until established. Fertilize monthly. Prune to remove one-half of foliage in autumn. Protect from heat, frost. Propagate by cuttings, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for accents, containers, edgings in cottage, formal, shade, woodland gardens. Good as houseplant. Mealybug, scale, whitefly and verticillium wilt susceptible.
Warning:
Sap and foliage of Abutilon X hybridum cause eye and skin irritation, stomach upset if eaten. Avoid planting in areas frequented by pets and children.