Common Name: Chinese Lantern

General Information

Abutilon x hybridum is a much-branched, vigorous, evergreen shrub that can grow around 2.5 metres tall.
The plant is often cultivated in gardens, being valued especially for its abundant floral display - with the added bonus that these flowers are edible.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

A complex group of hybrids of uncertain origin

Habitat

Not known in the wild.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental

Cultivation Details

Abutilon x hybridum is is a hybrid plant of garden origin that can be grown outdoors in the milder regions of the temperate zone. It can tolerate occasional temperatures down to between -5 to -10°c, especially when given the protection of a warm, sunny, sheltered wall, and is probably hardier than either of its parents[, ]. Plants are often deciduous in cold winters[]. A deep mulch in winter and tying in growth to the wall will maximise protection in winter[]. 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[].
Requires a sunny position or part day shade in a fertile well-drained soil[]. Dislikes drought[].
Plants grow very rapidly for their first few years and need staking if they are not in a sheltered position[].
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[]. Dead-heading plants to prevent seeding can enhance longevity[].
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[].
There are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value[, ].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Flowers - raw or cooked. A delicious sweet flavour, they are excellent on their own or as part of a mixed salad[]. The flowers produce nectar all the time they are open so, assuming the plant is grown indoors and is not visited by pollinating insects, the sweetness increases the longer the flower is open[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[]. 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, early summer in a frame[]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.