Callianthe spp.

flowering maples

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Hummingbirds Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Callianthe spp. is a genus of about 30 species of evergreen shrubs in the mallow family (Malvaceae), native to South America and segregated from the larger genus Abutilon spp.. Plants are soft-wooded, often arching or sprawling shrubs 1-3 m (3-10 ft) tall, with maple-like or heart-shaped, sometimes lobed leaves that give rise to the shared common name flowering maple. The flowers hang on slender stalks and are bell- or lantern-shaped, with five petals that may stay partly closed around a column of stamens; colour ranges through yellow, orange, red, and pink, often with darker veining or a contrasting calyx. C. megapotamica bears pendulous red-and-yellow lantern flowers, while C. picta has veined orange blooms. Flowering is long, running through much of the warm season. Callianthe spp. grows in mild, frost-free or nearly frost-free climates in moist, free-draining soil and part shade to full sun. The plants are fast-growing but soft and brittle, are cut back by frost, and need shelter from strong wind and prolonged drought.

Native Range

Native to South America, chiefly Brazil and neighbouring countries, where the species grow in forest margins and moist, subtropical habitats.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a long-flowering shrub for mild gardens, as a container and conservatory plant in colder regions, and trained against warm walls or as an informal espalier. The pendulous flowers suit hummingbird and pollinator plantings in frost-free areas.

How to Identify

Recognised by soft-wooded, arching stems, maple-like lobed leaves, and pendulous bell- or lantern-shaped flowers hanging on thin stalks, often with petals that do not open fully. The inflated or coloured calyx and the central column of stamens are typical of the mallow family. The hanging lantern flowers separate Callianthe spp. from upright-flowered mallows and hibiscus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 10'

Width/Spread3' - 8'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

Spring Summer Fall

In frost-free climates Callianthe spp. can flower nearly year-round, with the heaviest bloom from late spring through autumn. Where winters are cool, flowering pauses in cold weather and resumes as temperatures rise. The pendulous flowers are visited by hummingbirds and bees.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow, orange, red, or pink, often veined

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Callianthe spp. grows in part shade to full sun in fertile, moist, free-draining soil, flowering most freely with steady warmth and moisture. The soft, brittle stems are cut back by frost, so in cool climates the plants are grown against a warm wall, in containers moved under cover, or as conservatory plants. Regular water in the growing season supports the long bloom, while waterlogging and cold, wet soil cause rot. A balanced feed through summer sustains flowering. Propagation is easy from softwood or semi-ripe cuttings, which root quickly. Plants become leggy with age and are renewed by hard pruning.

Pruning

Leggy or frost-damaged stems are cut back hard in spring once the danger of frost has passed, which encourages dense, free-flowering regrowth. Light tip-pruning through the growing season keeps plants bushy. The soft wood regrows quickly from old stems.