Abutilon, Flowering Maple 'Gold Dust'

This plant must now be 10 feet. I bought it about 2 feet tall. I do not actually like varigated leaves--too much chaos theory or me. But....Read More.. it covers my compost pile in front of my back window. I added it to layer in with the Red Abultion I had already. I had started burying my dog compost along with my leaves and that seemed to give the Abutilon a boost. Both plants grew so fast that I have been amazed. I am now trying to learn about how to grow them from seed. I just love this plant. It brings humingbirds and other birds as well as looks beautiful outside my window.
Yes, the main stem gets heavy. I will need to start looking for a thick and long bamboo pole to hold it up as it blows in the wind where I live.
Since it covers the compost piles, people actually do not even notice my piles because they just look at the Abutilons. I am planning on planting in other areas I want to hide for similar reasons--messy piles.

I have grown this plant in the north Texas area for 25 years. Because of its eventual size and moist soil requirement small tubs ( 1 to ...Read More2 cubic foot of soil ) or 14 inch or larger pots work best in my climate. Partial sun is best in hot dry areas. Easy to over winter in a cool greenhouse. Poor air circulation in a warm greenhouse can lead to mealy bugs, aphids or scale. Needs support as it gains height, beautiful trellised. In my opinion one of the most beautiful varigated leaves. My mother has pressed them for framing behind glass. Grow this one for the foliage.

In 1 year this plant tripled in size, super beautiful, no problems and has been left outside all year in Santa Cruz with no problems that...Read More i can see.

Placed in full sun, in well draining topsoil, flowers all year and is a great variaged evergreen. The only drawback is that the leaves are not as deep green as when i bought it, but that is possibly because of mysoil or the full sun. Great showcase plant

I actually grew it here in New Hampshire for two years but got tired of bringing it in for the winter. Got too big. The leaves overtook t...Read Morehe blooms and I had to keep clipping them.