Shrub
Abutilon Red Tiger (‘Atn Rt5’)
Red Tiger flowering maple
Also known as: Abutilon 'Red Tiger'
A free-flowering shrub with nodding yellow bell flowers boldly veined in deep red, from spring to autumn.
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft)
- 1–1.5 m (3–5 ft)
- H3 · Zone 9
- April–October
- Evergreen
Overview
This striking flowering maple carries large, nodding, bell-shaped flowers whose golden-yellow petals are heavily veined with deep red, giving the 'tiger' effect. Flowers appear over a long season from spring to autumn on an upright shrub with maple-like green leaves. It is hardy only in mild, coastal parts of climates like the UK's (about -5°C / 23°F). Elsewhere, grow it against a warm wall with winter protection, or in a large pot moved under cover. In frost-free regions it flowers almost all year.
At a Glance
Growing Conditions
Aspect Suitability
- South-facing
- West-facing
Soil Tolerance
- Chalk
- Sandy
- Loam
- Acid
- Neutral pH
- Alkaline
Foliage
Foliage interest: 12 months of the year
Seasonal Timeline
- Flowering Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
- Foliage 12 months of the year
- Propagate Apr May Jun Jul Aug
Maintenance Calendar
- Mar Prune by up to a third in early spring to keep it bushy, as it flowers on new growth and becomes leggy if left
- May Feed pot-grown plants every two weeks with a high-potash fertiliser to support the long flowering season
- Jul Check leaf undersides for whitefly and red spider mite, especially in hot, dry weather or under glass
- Oct Move pots under frost-free cover or fleece wall-trained plants before hard frosts
Garden Design
Works well in: Cottage, Modern / Contemporary, Tropical / Exotic
Train against a sunny, sheltered wall or grow as a patio standard, placing it where the hanging bells can be seen from below.
Companion planting: Salvias, Cannas, Fuchsias, Grasses
Wildlife Value
- Bees
- Other pollinators
- Birds
Safety
Not known to be toxic; ornamental only.