About

Abutilon 'Sydney Belle' is a semi-evergreen shrub that typically reaches a height of about 1.5 meters. Its leaves are lobed and exhibit a slightly textured green surface. From spring through summer, it produces bell-shaped flowers in a lemon-yellow hue.

About the genus

Abutilon encompasses a variety of growth forms, including evergreen and deciduous shrubs, trees, perennials, and annuals. The foliage can be either simple or palmately lobed, and the flowers are typically bell-shaped or bowl-shaped, frequently featuring prominent stamens.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H3

Plant details

Plant type
Climber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs
Habit
Columnar upright
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Height
1.5-2.5 metres
Spread
1-1.5 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical

Care notes

Cultivation
Outdoors, grow in free-draining soil in a sheltered, sunny position, such as against a warm wall, and provide winter protection. Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Water freely when in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthy. Keep barely moist in winter. Pots can be stood outdoors in summer.
Pruning
Pruning group 1, pruning group 6 or pruning group 9. Prune after flowering to maintain compact growth
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly, glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and scale insects
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) or a virus