Overview

Abutilon 'White King' is a bushy conservatory greenhouse in the genus Abutilon, part of the Malvaceae family, with semi evergreen foliage. Abutilon 'White King' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3. Suggested uses include patio and container plants and flower borders and beds.

About

Abutilon 'White King' is an Abutilon cultivar grown as a conservatory and patio shrub with a well-branched habit and semi-evergreen foliage. It flowers from June to October, supplying a long season of interest. Best placed in sheltered, south- or east-facing spots in loam or sandy, moist but well-drained soil.

About the genus

Abutilon is a large genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics of the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. General common names include Indian mallow and velvetleaf; ornamental varieties may be known as room maple, parlor maple, or flowering maple.

Wikipedia contributors, "Abutilon", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Abutilon

In the garden

A member of the mallow family (Malvaceae), Abutilon 'White King' is raised as a conservatory and greenhouse shrub and for container display on patios. Its semi-evergreen leaves and compact, well-branched form make it suitable where a sheltered flowering shrub is required. Flowering runs from June to October, providing an extended period of bloom when sited in the right conditions. Plant in full sun on a south- or east-facing aspect where it will be protected from exposed winds. Use loam or sandy-based soil that is moist but drains freely, and aim for an acid to neutral pH. The plant is rated H3 for UK hardiness (borderline), so it benefits from frost protection in colder districts: place pots under cover for winter or sit plants against a warm wall or inside a conservatory. Abutilon 'White King' works well as a patio specimen or in containers that can be moved to shelter when cold weather threatens, and it can also be used at the front of flower borders and beds where a sheltered position is available. Regular watering through the growing season keeps the rootzone evenly moist without waterlogging, which supports the longest possible flowering display from June through October.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Abutilon

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H3

Plant details

Abutilon 'White King' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Conservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Suggested uses

Patio and container plants, Flower borders and beds

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Abutilon 'White King'

Propagation

Softwood cuttings in spring

Pest resistance

Glasshouse whitefly, Glasshouse red spider mite, Mealybugs, Scale insects

Disease resistance

Honey fungus (rarely), Virus

Frequently asked questions