Abutilon 'Kentish Belle'

Ok so I'm not of the "straight bananas only" euro school of thinking but, as beautiful as the flowers are on this shrub it's the ugliest, leggiest looking thing in my garden and I am sorely tempted to replace it!! It reminds me of sadly neglected plants you see in municipal carparks (usually Buddleia!!) Is there any hope of making this look tidy or should I dig it up?!

😂😂 I'd take it out and plant something new David 👍👍

Frankly @David you are 'bananas' if you think this will improve 😂I would dig it up. No horticultural or scientific reason for saying this but I had one & as you say the unusual flowers attracted me to it. It was in the greenhouse, out of the greenhouse & then back in the greenhouse and finally I ignored it and it died. It never lived up to my hopes. I have to say when I see this one it kinda makes me think I might have a second go at it. Computer says No Mo😂😂

Is this the best it gets , cause for the few flowers on there they are very pretty @David ?? 🌷🌺🌹😘

🙁☹️so sad to have to trash a plant

Plant lots of bushy plants around it and you might not notice the bareness.

@David I would cut it down to a couple of leaves on each bit, feed it, water it and wait till next year to see if the growth is any better 😊

Agree with Kathryn they say miracles do happen😂😂

I always believe in second chances 😆

Thank you everyone for your advice! You have assured it a stay of execution but only for one more year! I'll take it back once it's stopped flowering and see how it looks next year. Thanks all @katgreen @kathy @sue1953 @Hut123456789 @angipangi @juliesgarden

@David the say better times are coming 😀give it a second chance 👍🌿

I lost the care tag for this shrub so if anyone knows what it is that would be great! Thank you

@David is it some kind of fascia? I bet your mum would know

This is beautiful. Where would i find one of these please 😀

Hi Giggles. I got this in my local garden centre here in Jersey. It was this time of year as they are out in flower now so it looked great in the store! However a word of warning they get big and leggy quickly so need lots of space or constant pruning! But the flower is really unique so worth the high maintenace. You can try this company online : http://www.larkspur-nursery.co.uk/Abutilon%20List.html (sorry links dont actually link in GT yet 😏)

Oh wow, that's fantastic! I better extend the limit on my credit card as i might get carried away 😄

I have just ordered 2 on amazon so awaiting delivery xxx

Oh thats great Chelle! Fingers crossed they arrive in one piece... I always get nervous about mail order plants! x @giggles

Ive done this a few times and been successful rach time si yes fingers crossed they arrive perfectly they cime in 9 cm pots xx

Where would the beat place to plant these please x

Hi Chelle. Did they arrive safely? These are pretty easy going shrubs so will do well in most places accept for very shady spots. Do give them plenty of room though because they can grow pretty big if you let them (or want them to of course!) Give loads if water to begin with though until they get themselves established. Hope that helps @giggles x

Brilliant thanks for the tip. No they havent arrived yet still waiting x

Hi @David just wanted to let you know i have recieved my 2 plants today they are lovely and looking forward to planting them today. 😀😀