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The Flowering Maple Plant: A Complete Guide and Care Tips
If you’re looking for a plant that’s easy to care for, beautiful and adds variety to your garden, the flowering maple plant is perfect.
This plant is a member of the mallow family and has been grown in gardens since the 1800s.
It’s also known as Abutilon or Chinese Lantern due to its lantern-shaped flowers that come in various colors including orange, yellow, pink and red.
Plant Description
The flowering maple is a small shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall but commonly grows between 3-4 feet tall.
The leaves are broad with three lobes measuring about 5 inches long.
They are green on top with pale undersides.
The flowers appear year-round but are more abundant during summer.
They have five petals fused together forming a bell shape around the pistil.
Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds love these bell-flowers because they’re rich in nectar.
Location
The flowering maple does well in areas with partial shade or full sun exposure depending on where you live.
If you live in hot climates, it’ll be better growing it under some shade while those who live in cooler regions can grow them under full sun exposure.
Soil Type
- You should use well-draining soil when planting your flowering maples.
- A soil mix containing peat moss or compost will provide adequate drainage.
- If your soil contains heavy clay content add some sand to make it more permeable.
Watering Requirements
- This plant requires moderate watering during dry periods.
- In winter when growth slows down reduce watering.
- Avoid overwatering which leads to root rot or under-watering, which leads to dry soil and wilting leaves.
Fertilization
- Use a balanced fertilizer that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
- Apply the fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.
- Reduce fertilizing during winter when growth slows down.
Pests and Diseases
The flowering maple is susceptible to aphids, spider mites and whiteflies.
To prevent these pests from damaging your plants, you can use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
These solutions are organic and won’t harm your plant.
If you notice any infected leaves remove them immediately to prevent the spread of disease.
Propagation
- The flowering maple propagates easily through stem cuttings.
- Cut a healthy branch about 4-5 inches long just below a leaf node.
- Dip in hormone rooting powder then insert in moist soil mix.
- The cutting should root within 4-6 weeks.
In Conclusion:
The flowering maple is an excellent addition to any garden because it’s easy to care for, beautiful and has year-round flowers that attract pollinators like butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.
To ensure your plant thrives follow the above guidelines including location requirements (partial shade or full sun), watering (moderate watering), fertilization with balanced fertilizer containing equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium every two weeks during growing season) propagation through stem cutting technique among others we have mentioned.
If you’re looking for something new in your garden today try planting a flowering maple – it’s guaranteed not only add color but also variety!
