Lucky Lantern Tangerine Flowering Maple

Lucky Lantern Tangerine Flowering Maple (Abutilon fraseri 'Lucky Lantern Tangerine') is a petite evergreen shrub that spends its energy on flowers. It stays around 30cm tall and wide, and from spring to autumn it hangs peach-orange bell flowers over small, pale, maple-shaped leaves. Grow it at the front of a bed or in a pot, where you can enjoy the lanterns up close.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers from spring to autumn. The hanging bells keep coming through the warm months, in a clear peach-orange that is even across the whole flower.
• Small leaves, big display. The foliage is finer than the wild species, so the lanterns are the feature and the plant never looks heavy.
• Genuinely compact. At about 30cm by 30cm it fits a pot, a border edge or a gap in a small garden without crowding its neighbours.
• Fast and forgiving. It is a fast growing shrub that comes back with fresh growth after a hard prune in spring.
• Handles a dry spell and a light frost. Once established it copes with short dry periods and light overnight frosts.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. A single plant suits a patio pot of free draining potting mix in a bright position. It can also be grown indoors in good light, though it flowers best outdoors in sun.

Borders and stepover hedges. Plant 30cm apart along the front of a bed or path and the shrubs touch into a low, flowering line you can step over.

Cottage garden colour. Peach-orange looks best beside maroon and burgundy foliage or yellow and red flowers, which makes it an easy partner in a mixed cottage border.

Growing Lucky Lantern Tangerine Flowering Maple in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the most flowers, and it tolerates shade but flowers less there. It suits mild gardens from the subtropics through warm and cool temperate regions. Because it is only rated for light frost, choose a sheltered spot in colder gardens, or grow it in a pot and move it under cover on the coldest nights.

Soil. Any well drained, light soil suits it. On heavy clay, raise the bed or use a pot so water drains away.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks or so until it is established, after which it handles dry spells. Feed with a slow release fertiliser after flowering to support healthy growth.

Pruning. Prune hard in spring to encourage fresh growth and a compact shape, and clip lightly through the year to keep a border line tidy.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Lucky Lantern Tangerine Flowering Maple as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in larger sizes: 140mm pots in packs of 10 and 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tube stock is the value choice for a long border edge, while the potted packs give you more plant on day one. Plants travel upright, settle in within a couple of weeks and put on new growth through the warmer months.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Plants that thrive in pots and containers
• More flowering plants for colour
• How to create a cottage garden in Australia
• Planting and care basics for new garden plants

Common questions

How big does it get?

About 30cm tall and 30cm wide, so roughly knee height at most. That is far smaller than the larger flowering maples, which is why it suits pots and the front of a border.

Can I grow it indoors?

Yes, in the brightest spot you have. It tolerates lower light but flowers less, so a sunny window or bright sunroom gives the best display.

How hard can I prune it?

Hard, in spring. Cut it back to shape and it shoots again with fresh growth, then a slow release fertiliser after the flush of flowers keeps it going.