| Common Name | Latin Name | Plant Family |
|---|---|---|
|
Chinese Lantern |
Abutilon x hybridum |
Malvaceae |
None known
Cultivation & Habitat
Seed – sow spring in a greenhouse[200]. Germination should take place within a few weeks. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots. Grow them on for at least the first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. This species is a hybrid, so the seedlings will not be true to type.
Cuttings of young shoots, June in a frame[200]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.
Requires a sunny position or part day shade in a fertile well-drained soil[200]. Dislikes drought[200].
This species is only hardy in the mildest areas of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5¡c when given the protection of a south or south-west facing wall[11, 200]. It is probably hardier than either of its parents[11]. Plants are often deciduous in cold winters[219]. A deep mulch in winter and tying in growth to the wall will maximise protection in winter[200]. If the plant is cut back by cold weather, it will normally resprout from the base in the spring and can flower on the current year’s growth[202].
Plants grow very rapidly for their first few years and need staking if they are not in a sheltered position[11].
Plants tend to be short-lived in Britain, dying suddenly without any apparent cause. This is probably because they flower so profusely that they die of exhaustion[11]. Dead-heading plants to prevent seeding can enhance longevity[200].
Tip-prune young plants to promote a bushy habit, older plants can be cut back hard annually as new growth commences in late winter or early spring if required[200].
There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[11, 200].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].
A hybrid of garden origin, A. darwinii x A. pictum.
Become ungovernable, break the chains of the matrix; grow and forage your own food and medicine.
*None of the information on this website qualifies as professional medical advice. Take only what resonates with your heart and use your own personal responsibility for what’s best for you. For more information [brackets] [000], see bibliography.