Abutilon Seeds ( Annual )

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Garden & Container Value: 5/5
🌺 Exotic Lantern-Like Blooms All Season Long

Bellvue Mix Flowering Maple is a stunning old-fashioned favorite that produces an abundance of pendulous, bell-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, salmon, and apricot. Despite its common name, Flowering Maple is not actually related to maples. The name comes from its attractive maple-like foliage and graceful branching habit.

This colorful mix creates vigorous, bushy plants that bloom continuously from summer until frost. The lantern-shaped flowers dangle beneath the foliage like tiny Chinese lanterns, creating a tropical appearance that makes Bellvue Mix one of the most distinctive flowering plants in the garden.

In warm climates, Flowering Maple can become a small shrub, while in colder regions it is commonly grown as an annual or container specimen. The plants are especially beautiful on patios, decks, sunrooms, and conservatories where the dangling blooms can be appreciated up close.

Historical Tidbit: Abutilons gained tremendous popularity during the Victorian era when exotic flowering plants were highly prized. Wealthy gardeners often displayed them in conservatories and glasshouses where visitors admired their unusual flowers and long blooming season. Many antique garden books refer to Flowering Maple as one of the finest decorative flowering plants available.

The species originates from tropical and subtropical regions of South America, where it thrives in warm conditions and blooms for much of the year.

Garden Uses:

• Patio containers and decorative pots
• Annual flower beds
• Tropical-themed gardens
• Sunrooms and conservatories
• Porch and deck plantings
• Mixed borders
• Pollinator gardens

Pollinator Value: The nectar-rich flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and beneficial pollinating insects throughout the growing season.

Growing Information:

• Botanical Name: Abutilon hybridum
• Plant Type: Tender perennial often grown as an annual
• Height: 3–6 feet
• Spread: 2–4 feet
• Bloom Season: Summer through frost
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Rich, well-drained soil
• Water Needs: Moderate

Germination: Sow seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost date. Lightly cover seeds and maintain temperatures of 70–75°F. Germination generally occurs within 14–28 days. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.

Container Growing: Bellvue Mix performs exceptionally well in large containers. Regular feeding and consistent moisture will encourage continuous flowering throughout the season. Plants can often be overwintered indoors in bright locations.

Fun Fact: The hanging flowers often resemble miniature paper lanterns, Chinese lanterns, or tiny decorative bells, giving rise to several of the plant's common names around the world.

Seedman's Notes: Bellvue Mix Flowering Maple is one of those plants that visitors inevitably ask about. The unusual dangling flowers, tropical appearance, and long blooming season make it a standout choice for containers and garden borders. For gardeners seeking something different from traditional annual flowers, Bellvue Mix delivers beauty, color, and conversation value all summer long.