Abutilon vitifolium
FLOWERING MAPLE BUSH
Large bowls of soft lavender blue blooms through spring & early summer. Profuse flowering. Lovely grey felt maple shape leaves.
Quick to raise from seed to flowering size, and a quick, easy growing shrub.
Sun to Part Shade. Well drained & mulched soil or pots.
Happily for gardeners, rabbits and deer do not enjoy the flavour of Abutilon vitifolium.
Makes a rounded deciduous shrub 1.8m H x 1m W.
SEED SOWING ADVICE: EASY
Suitable for beginners
INDOORS: Sow seed 1mm deep in a punnet of good quality potting mix.
Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing in a shallow water bath and allowing the moisture to percolate to the surface of the mix from below.
Then place sown, moist punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in direct sun).
Temperatures of 18-25°C are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.
Seedlings emerge in 21-30 days.
However if the seeds are shy to germinate and have not sprouted in 30 days – it means the seeds are dormant and need a period of chilling to break their dormancy.
So wrap the moist, sown punnet in cling-wrap or a plastic bag.
Now place it in the fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.
Then remove from fridge, unwrap and return to warmth & light.
SEED COUNT: 10 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).