ABUTILONS (LANTERN FLOWERS)

Evening Star, Issue 22578, 20 February 1937, Page 23

ABUTILONS (LANTERN FLOWERS)

Few plants can equal the abutilon for continuous flowering, for at the axil of every leaf they make, flowers are produced. They are not quite hardy in our climate and need l to. be planted out of the frost line in such situations as beneath overhanging branches of trees, against warm walls; they also make excellent tub, plants for growing in sheltered spots. The drooping, bell-shaped flowers are very useful in many kinds of indoor decorations and for use in wreaths and bouquets, being practically obtainable all the year round. In growing the abutilons in pots a very rich compost is needed, and in order to, keep up a vigorous growth do not fill the pots to their capacity, but leave_ sufficient room to allow of a topdressing of rich soil now and again. Good feeding will have the effect of producing blooms with longer Vtems, making them more useful as cut flowers. The colourings are now very varied, ranging from white to yellow, bronze, and orange, light and vivid shades of pink, to chocolate and majenta tones, while there is a variety with variegated foliage, the leaves of which are very useful for decorations. A variety with bronze flowers, _ fully double, is another acquisition.—‘ Manawatu Daily Times.’