Can anyone tell me about an 'Abutulon' shrub?

[Impret-Sir]

I have just been given a small one grown from a cutting, and I know nothing about them at all, I have been told it has red flowers. What sort of soil do they like, how much sun and water etc? Cant seem to find it on Google. Thanks.

[Jules001]

some are only suitable for a conservatory whilst others are ok for outside, here's a link to one variety which will hopefully help lead you further to being able to identify your variety http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/main.jhtml?xml=/gar dening/2006/02/04/ghowto04.xml&sSheet=/gardening/200 6/0

[andyjevs]

There are many species of abutilon which are readily available to us. Some are the more hardier sp such as A megapotanicum plus there are more tender sp such as a.thompsonii and a.savitzii.

I have a. megapotanicum 'patric singe' in my garden and it has done well. They're not the most hardy of plants but if grown against a south facing wall, they will give many years of colour.

They can get tall....some even into small trees and will thrive on any dryish, well drained soil (mine's on solid flint and chalk.)

If you want any more info, let me know

[Impret-Sir]

Thanks very much for those answers, this one has attractive varigated leaves, mostly dark green, but with lighter patches, with a frilly edge. So far I have it on a window ledge, I will probably try it in a big pot outside when the frosts are over.

[logman]

The abutilon you describe looks like it could be A.megapotamicum 'varigatum' or maybe A. 'cannington peter', often grown by local authorities as 'dot plants' as part of summer bedding displays.

They do not like heavy clays but will thrive on any well drained soil if given plenty of water during the growing season. A warm sunny south facing wall is its ideal position, it can be covered with bracken or straw to protect it over winter or repot it and overwinter it in a green house or conservatory.

[Impret-Sir]

Logman you are dead right about it being grown by local authorities, the original plant that this cutting came from was pulled up out of a road side display and thrown in a council lorry, where my Father rescued it (with the workmens permission!), and put it in a pot on his patio last summer. It grew on all summer to about four feet talland produced lots of red bell shaped flowers.

[logman]

Shiver me timbers Impret- Sire !, i frighten myself sometimes ! I remember about 20 years ago, i managed to rescue a cordyline (torbay palm) in the same way,destined for the tip, its now in my front garden 15' high and looking like something out of south pasific !