Blue beauty
GARDENING
by
Mike Lusty
Abutilon vitifolium has sometimes been mistaken for a hibiscus, an understandable error by those who are not too familiary with plants, as the flowers, and even the leaves bear some resemblance. Its main significance, however, lies in its large variable blue flowers which may be as much as 75mm across when fully open. These appear in the summer for many weeks on end as do
other species and forms of the genus. This Chilean soft-wooded native has large, downy almost grey-ish-green leaves which in themselves provide a good contrast to the foliage of other plants. Abutilon vitifolium is a hardy evergreen which requires no special treatment other than siting in a well drained spot, preferably in a reasonably sunny position. Annual pruning, once it
has become fully established, will promote new growth, produce a more compact plant and encourage greater production of its terminal-borne flower clusters.
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Bibliographic details
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Press, 14 February 1986, Page 14
Word count
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152Blue beauty Press, 14 February 1986, Page 14
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