It is good to frequent your local garden center or nursery as you never know what might be there.  New or rarely seen plants may pop up to tickle your fancy or catch your eye.  Once such plant that I saw recently is called Abutilon or Flowering Maple.  The maple-like leaves are greatly over-shadowed by [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_9309" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-9309" style="width: 222px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class=" wp-image-9309" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotteco/files/2024/10/20240924_123645-197x300.jpg" alt="a bright red balloon-shaped flower" width="222" height="338" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-9309" class="wp-caption-text">A Gem of a Flower &#8211; Abutilon</figcaption></figure>
It is good to frequent your local garden center or nursery as you never know what might be there.  New or rarely seen plants may pop up to tickle your fancy or catch your eye.  Once such plant that I saw recently is called Abutilon or Flowering Maple.  The maple-like leaves are greatly over-shadowed by the whimsical flowers that dangle from the branches like jeweled shades.  Often called Chinese lantern, these hibiscus family relatives &#8211; favored in the Victorian era &#8211; are still beautiful, unique, and available.
Abutilons are low-growing, somewhat brittle, woody shrubs growing no more than four foot tall and two-foot wide.  They are not related to maples but are in mallow family which includes hibiscus and okra.  The bell-shaped flowers do resemble hibiscus when you take a closer look, and come in shades of orange, yellow, red, pink, and colorful mixes.  Pollinators such as butterflies are attracted to these up to three-inch wide pendulous flowers – even hummingbirds adore the upside-down blossoms.  Beyond flowers, there are even variegated cultivars such as Abutilon hybridum &#8216;Variegatum&#8217; sporting green leaves with yellowish abstract spots and splashes.   This is an interesting situation where the variegation symptoms are caused by a mosaic plant virus called abutilon mosaic.  While many plants are damaged by such viruses, this Abutilon coexists with this particular virus without harming it – just quirky ornamental color.  They maintain this color when propagated by softwood cuttings but are all green when started from seed until a whitefly carrying the virus feeds on the plant and introduces the organism.
Abutilons will do best in mixed beds or borders as specimen plants either as a multi-stemmed shrubs or trained with a single stem giving it a more tree-like appearance.   Flowering maples also excel as container plants &#8211; mixed with other plants, or as a single specimen &#8211; for patios and decks. They also do well work well in hanging baskets where they can best show off their downward hanging flowers.   Grow flowering maple in full sun or partial shade in well-drained and evenly moist soil enriched with organic matter.  Abutilons do not like to dry out, so watch the watering for best results.
There are named cultivars to look for which may be available on occasion.  One called ‘Bella’ is very compact and provides a series of flower colors including apricot to orange, pink and deep red.  ‘Bellvue’ Mix has large flowers in red, orange, and yellow.  One called ‘Canary Bird’ has – of course &#8211; yellow flowers, while ‘Kirsten’s Pink’ displays soft pink flowers.  Check around locally, and also check on-line sources for small mail-order specimens.
I had a flowering maple almost fifty years ago and remember it fondly.  It had yellow flowers and I kept it indoors as a houseplant.  Again, seeing is believing and once you spot this plant, you will want one of your own!  For more information on all types of unique plants to grow in Southwest Florida, or to ask a question, you can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer.  Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension – Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or <a href="mailto:ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov">ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov</a>. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CharlotteCountyExtension">@CharlotteCountyExtension</a> and follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ifascharco/">@ifascharco</a>.
Resources: 
Mahr, S. (2016) Flowering Maple, Abutilon spp. Wisconsin Horticulture &#8211; University of Wisconsin – Madison – Division of Extension. 
Klingaman, G. (1999) Plant of the Week: Variegated Flowering Maple (Variegated Chinese Lantern Plant). University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture &#8211; Cooperative Extension Service. 
Castro (2019) Montgomery County Master Gardener Volunteers. Must Have Abutilons. Texas A&amp;M University AgriLife Extension System.

A Gem of a Flower – Abutilon
It is good to frequent your local garden center or nursery as you never know what might be there.  New or rarely seen plants may pop up to tickle your fancy or catch your eye.  Once such plant that I saw recently is called Abutilon or Flowering Maple.  The maple-like leaves are greatly over-shadowed by the whimsical flowers that dangle from the branches like jeweled shades.  Often called Chinese lantern, these hibiscus family relatives – favored in the Victorian era – are still beautiful, unique, and available.
Abutilons are low-growing, somewhat brittle, woody shrubs growing no more than four foot tall and two-foot wide.  They are not related to maples but are in mallow family which includes hibiscus and okra.  The bell-shaped flowers do resemble hibiscus when you take a closer look, and come in shades of orange, yellow, red, pink, and colorful mixes.  Pollinators such as butterflies are attracted to these up to three-inch wide pendulous flowers – even hummingbirds adore the upside-down blossoms.  Beyond flowers, there are even variegated cultivars such as Abutilon hybridum ‘Variegatum’ sporting green leaves with yellowish abstract spots and splashes.   This is an interesting situation where the variegation symptoms are caused by a mosaic plant virus called abutilon mosaic.  While many plants are damaged by such viruses, this Abutilon coexists with this particular virus without harming it – just quirky ornamental color.  They maintain this color when propagated by softwood cuttings but are all green when started from seed until a whitefly carrying the virus feeds on the plant and introduces the organism.
Abutilons will do best in mixed beds or borders as specimen plants either as a multi-stemmed shrubs or trained with a single stem giving it a more tree-like appearance.   Flowering maples also excel as container plants – mixed with other plants, or as a single specimen – for patios and decks. They also do well work well in hanging baskets where they can best show off their downward hanging flowers.   Grow flowering maple in full sun or partial shade in well-drained and evenly moist soil enriched with organic matter.  Abutilons do not like to dry out, so watch the watering for best results.
There are named cultivars to look for which may be available on occasion.  One called ‘Bella’ is very compact and provides a series of flower colors including apricot to orange, pink and deep red.  ‘Bellvue’ Mix has large flowers in red, orange, and yellow.  One called ‘Canary Bird’ has – of course – yellow flowers, while ‘Kirsten’s Pink’ displays soft pink flowers.  Check around locally, and also check on-line sources for small mail-order specimens.
I had a flowering maple almost fifty years ago and remember it fondly.  It had yellow flowers and I kept it indoors as a houseplant.  Again, seeing is believing and once you spot this plant, you will want one of your own!  For more information on all types of unique plants to grow in Southwest Florida, or to ask a question, you can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer.  Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension – Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook @CharlotteCountyExtension and follow us on Instagram @ifascharco.
Resources:
Mahr, S. (2016) Flowering Maple, Abutilon spp. Wisconsin Horticulture – University of Wisconsin – Madison – Division of Extension.
Klingaman, G. (1999) Plant of the Week: Variegated Flowering Maple (Variegated Chinese Lantern Plant). University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture – Cooperative Extension Service.
Castro (2019) Montgomery County Master Gardener Volunteers. Must Have Abutilons. Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension System.

It is good to frequent your local garden center or nursery as you never know what might be there.  New or rarely seen plants may pop up to tickle your fancy or catch your eye.  Once such plant that I saw recently is called Abutilon or Flowering Maple.  The maple-like leaves are greatly over-shadowed by […]

Flowering maples – not what you think!

My favorite ginger is the pine cone ginger. I like it because of its relatively large glossy green leaves, which provide a tropical look in the landscape. However, my favorite characteristic of this plant is its inflorescence, or group of flowers, which resembles a bright red pine cone. Even though they resemble pine cones, they [&#8230;]

My favorite ginger is the pine cone ginger. I like it because of its relatively large glossy green leaves, which provide a tropical look in the landscape. However, my favorite characteristic of this plant is its inflorescence, or group of flowers, which resembles a bright red pine cone. Even though they resemble pine cones, they are not woody or hard like a true pine cone. They are fleshy, soft and moist. As a matter of fact, when squeezed, they release a clear, fragrant liquid, which some people bottle and use as shampoo. Shampoo ginger is another common name for this plant because of this characteristic. It produces the showy pine cone structures in late summer through fall.
There is a world of different gingers from which to grow and enjoy. All add a tropical look to the landscape. Some are edible and are used for culinary purposes. The unique flavor of gingerbread cookies comes from the edible ginger Zingiber officinale. It does produce flowers but it is the underground stems (rhizomes) that are used to produce the “ginger” spice. It is used for some medicinal purposes, as well.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a member of the ginger family. This plant does produce attractive flowers but is also used in cooking and is a major component of curry recipes. There also has been interest in turmeric’s possible anti-inflammatory properties.
To learn more about the use of gingers and other tropical ornamentals in our North Florida landscapes, you may be interested in an upcoming lecture.
<figure id="attachment_28293" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-28293" style="width: 277px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-28293 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Pink tropical hibiscus in bloom" width="277" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/okaloosaco/files/2024/05/Hibiscus-Flowers-277x300.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-28293" class="wp-caption-text">Pink tropical hibiscus in bloom. Credit: Larry Williams</figcaption></figure>
On Monday, May 20, 2024, the UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in Okaloosa County will provide a lecture titled Tropical Plants for Summer Color. Sheila Dunning, UF/IFAS Commercial Horticulture Agent in Okaloosa County, will be the speaker. In addition to the ornamental tropical gingers, Sheila will cover other colorful tropical plants such as hibiscus, mandevilla, allamanda and others.
The approximately one-hour lecture will begin at 10 a.m. and will be held at the Okaloosa County Extension Office, located at 3098 Airport Road in Crestview, Florida.
There is no charge to attend but seating is limited and registration is required. Please use this Eventbrite link to register: <a href="https://OCMG-0318Lecture.eventbrite.com">Tropical4color0520.eventbrite.com</a>.
For more information about this event or about the Lecture Series, please call the UF/IFAS Extension Office at 850-689-5850.
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as alternate formats of written material, please contact Larry Williams, <a href="mailto:llw5479@ufl.edu">llw5479@ufl.edu</a>, 850-689-5850 at least one week in advance.

My favorite ginger is the pine cone ginger. I like it because of its relatively large glossy green leaves, which provide a tropical look in the landscape. However, my favorite characteristic of this plant is its inflorescence, or group of flowers, which resembles a bright red pine cone. Even though they resemble pine cones, they are not woody or hard like a true pine cone. They are fleshy, soft and moist. As a matter of fact, when squeezed, they release a clear, fragrant liquid, which some people bottle and use as shampoo. Shampoo ginger is another common name for this plant because of this characteristic. It produces the showy pine cone structures in late summer through fall.
There is a world of different gingers from which to grow and enjoy. All add a tropical look to the landscape. Some are edible and are used for culinary purposes. The unique flavor of gingerbread cookies comes from the edible ginger Zingiber officinale. It does produce flowers but it is the underground stems (rhizomes) that are used to produce the “ginger” spice. It is used for some medicinal purposes, as well.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a member of the ginger family. This plant does produce attractive flowers but is also used in cooking and is a major component of curry recipes. There also has been interest in turmeric’s possible anti-inflammatory properties.
To learn more about the use of gingers and other tropical ornamentals in our North Florida landscapes, you may be interested in an upcoming lecture.
Pink tropical hibiscus in bloom.
Credit: Larry Williams
On Monday, May 20, 2024, the UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in Okaloosa County will provide a lecture titled Tropical Plants for Summer Color. Sheila Dunning, UF/IFAS Commercial Horticulture Agent in Okaloosa County, will be the speaker. In addition to the ornamental tropical gingers, Sheila will cover other colorful tropical plants such as hibiscus, mandevilla, allamanda and others.
The approximately one-hour lecture will begin at 10 a.m. and will be held at the Okaloosa County Extension Office, located at 3098 Airport Road in Crestview, Florida.
There is no charge to attend but seating is limited and registration is required. Please use this Eventbrite link to register: Tropical4color0520.eventbrite.com.
For more information about this event or about the Lecture Series, please call the UF/IFAS Extension Office at 850-689-5850.
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as alternate formats of written material, please contact Larry Williams, llw5479@ufl.edu, 850-689-5850 at least one week in advance.

My favorite ginger is the pine cone ginger. I like it because of its relatively large glossy green leaves, which provide a tropical look in the landscape. However, my favorite characteristic of this plant is its inflorescence, or group of flowers, which resembles a bright red pine cone. Even though they resemble pine cones, they […]

Tropical Plants for Summer Color Lecture

Cercospora leaf spots are a common issue affecting many ornamental crops like hostas, hydrangea, hibiscus, pansy, verbena, gardenia, and others. However, starting in the Fall of 2022, an increase in damage caused by the pathogen in Spathiyphyllum plants appeared. Spots are first noticeable on older leaves at the bottom of the plant and then spread upward. [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_10103" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10103" style="width: 238px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-10103 " src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/files/2023/02/Spath-cercospora-2-278x300.jpg" alt="" width="238" height="257" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10103" class="wp-caption-text">Symptoms from the top side of the leaves.</figcaption></figure>
Cercospora leaf spots are a common issue affecting many ornamental crops like hostas, hydrangea, hibiscus, pansy, verbena, gardenia, and others. However, starting in the Fall of 2022, an increase in damage caused by the pathogen in Spathiyphyllum plants appeared. Spots are first noticeable on older leaves at the bottom of the plant and then spread upward.
The spots are brown, irregular in shape, and can grow up to 1 centimeter in size.
<figure id="attachment_10105" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10105" style="width: 108px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-10105" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/files/2023/02/Spath-cercospora-6-130x300.jpg" alt="" width="108" height="249" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10105" class="wp-caption-text">Symptoms as seen from the underside of the leaf.</figcaption></figure>
To manage cercospora leaf spot, it&#8217;s important to practice good sanitation by removing infected leaves. Overhead watering should be avoided. Drip irrigation, good ventilation and increased plant spacing can help lower humidity and temperature, making it easier to manage the disease.
Fungicides containing chlorothalonil, thiophanate-methyl, and FRAC group 3 (e.g., Banner Maxx II, Trinity, Eagle) are effective in controlling cercospora leaf spot when applied before or at the first sign of symptoms. Combo premix products containing FRAC 7 &amp; 11 (Broadform, Orkestra Intrinsic, Mural) have also been effective in managing the disease. Multiple application rotations (every 10-14 days) may be necessary to keep plants free of the disease.
By David Norman, Ph. D., Plant Pathologist, UF IFAS MREC 
      Liz Felter, Ph.D., Production Horticulture Extension Agent, UF IFAS MREC

Symptoms from the top side of the leaves.
Cercospora leaf spots are a common issue affecting many ornamental crops like hostas, hydrangea, hibiscus, pansy, verbena, gardenia, and others. However, starting in the Fall of 2022, an increase in damage caused by the pathogen in Spathiyphyllum plants appeared. Spots are first noticeable on older leaves at the bottom of the plant and then spread upward.
The spots are brown, irregular in shape, and can grow up to 1 centimeter in size.
Symptoms as seen from the underside of the leaf.
To manage cercospora leaf spot, it’s important to practice good sanitation by removing infected leaves. Overhead watering should be avoided. Drip irrigation, good ventilation and increased plant spacing can help lower humidity and temperature, making it easier to manage the disease.
Fungicides containing chlorothalonil, thiophanate-methyl, and FRAC group 3 (e.g., Banner Maxx II, Trinity, Eagle) are effective in controlling cercospora leaf spot when applied before or at the first sign of symptoms. Combo premix products containing FRAC 7 & 11 (Broadform, Orkestra Intrinsic, Mural) have also been effective in managing the disease. Multiple application rotations (every 10-14 days) may be necessary to keep plants free of the disease.
By David Norman, Ph. D., Plant Pathologist, UF IFAS MREC
      Liz Felter, Ph.D., Production Horticulture Extension Agent, UF IFAS MREC

Cercospora leaf spots are a common issue affecting many ornamental crops like hostas, hydrangea, hibiscus, pansy, verbena, gardenia, and others. However, starting in the Fall of 2022, an increase in damage caused by the pathogen in Spathiyphyllum plants appeared. Spots are first noticeable on older leaves at the bottom of the plant and then spread upward. […]

Plant Disease Update for Commercial Plant Producers

Woody Ornamentals

Maderables ornamentales

Malvaceae

Malvaceae (taxonomic family)

Malváceas

Floriculture is that branch of horticulture dealing with the production of field-grown or greenhouse-grown plants for their flowers or showy leaves. [<a href="https://lod.nal.usda.gov/nalt/30902">NALT</a>] [<a href="http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_16488">AGROVOC</a>]

Floriculture

Tropical Plants

Plantas tropicales

[<a href="https://lod.nal.usda.gov/nalt/45495">NALT</a>] [<a href="http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3593">AGROVOC</a>]

Hibiscus

Narrower Topics

Publications

Profitability and Cost Estimates for Producing Tropical Hibiscus in South Florida

Safe Salinity Levels for Irrigation of Two Ornamental Crops: Hibiscus and Mandevilla

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Flowering maples – not what you think!

Tropical Plants for Summer Color Lecture

Plant Disease Update for Commercial Plant Producers

Related Pages

Hibiscus

Narrower Topics

Hibiscus Pest Insects and Mites

Publications

Profitability and Cost Estimates for Producing Tropical Hibiscus in South Florida

Safe Salinity Levels for Irrigation of Two Ornamental Crops: Hibiscus and Mandevilla

Related IFAS Blog Posts

Flowering maples – not what you think!

Tropical Plants for Summer Color Lecture

Plant Disease Update for Commercial Plant Producers

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