Corynabutilon × suntense
Corynabutilon × suntense
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Corynabutilon × suntense is a hybrid plant of garden origin that can be grown outdoors in the milder regions of the temperate zone. It can tolerate occasional temperatures down to between -5 to -10°c, especially when given the protection of a warm, sunny, sheltered wall, and is probably hardier than either of its parents[1, 2]. Plants are often deciduous in cold winters[3]. A deep mulch in winter and tying in growth to the wall will maximise protection in winter[2]. If the plant is cut back by cold weather, it will normally resprout from the base in the spring and can flower on the current year's growth[4]. Requires a sunny position or part day shade in a fertile well-drained soil[2]. Dislikes drought[2]. Plants grow very rapidly for their first few years and need staking if they are not in a sheltered position[1]. Plants tend to be short-lived in cultivation, dying suddenly without any apparent cause. This is probably because they flower so profusely that they die of exhaustion[1]. Dead-heading plants to prevent seeding can enhance longevity[2]. Tip-prune young plants to promote a bushy habit, older plants can be cut back hard annually in spring if required[2]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[1, 2]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[2]. Germination should take place within a few weeks. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots. Grow them on for at least the first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Although this species is a hybrid, seedlings are usually true to type[5]. Cuttings of young shoots, early summer in a frame[2]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[2]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Corynabutilon+%C3%97+suntense>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
- [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [3]Gardening on Walls — Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. · Collins · 1983 · ISBN 0-00-219220-0 ↩︎A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.
- [4]Climbers and Wall Shrubs. — Davis. B. · Viking. · 1990 · ISBN 0-670-82929-3 ↩︎Contains information on 2,000 species and cultivars, giving details of cultivation requirements. The text is terse but informative.
- [5]Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 — Phillips. R. & Rix. M. · Pan Books, London. · 1998 · ISBN 0-330-37376-5 ↩︎Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.
- [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎