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purple abutilon tree

The purple abutilon tree is a stunning choice for New Zealand gardeners seeking unusual colour and form in their landscape. Admired for its delicate, bell-shaped flowers and graceful, slightly arching branches, this small tree brings months of vibrant purple blooms, attracting bees and native birds to your garden. Combining a lush display with easy care, the purple abutilon tree is perfectly suited to a range of Kiwi garden styles, from cottage borders to modern urban spaces.

Cercis Forest Pansy growing in a courtyard garden with purple leaves.

Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy (Eastern Redbud)

The Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy tree, commonly known as Forest Pansy Redbud or Eastern Redbud Forest Pansy, is a small tree grown for its impressive foliage and form. The heart shaped leaves are dark red when young, age to dark purple, then develop red and yellow tones in autumn before falling. As the foliage emerges in spring, masses of small pink blossoms are produced. It grows as either a multi-stemmed or single-trunked tree with a broad and rounded canopy to about 4.5 m tall and 3.5 m wide. Cercis Forest Pansy is commonly grown as a specimen, used in avenue plantings, planted around entranceways, grown around outdoor living areas, or included in a mixed planting.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 4.50 m
Spread: 3.50 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden uses: Avenues, Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
corylus-maxima-purpurea-

Corylus maxima Purpurea

Corylus maxima Purpurea, commonly known as the Purple-Leaved Filbert tree, is grown for its attractive foliage and interesting catkins. This deciduous tree typically grows to 6 m tall and the same wide bearing deep purple, serrated leaves held on multiple stems. Corylus maxima Purpurea is commonly grown as a specimen tree.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 6.00 m
Spread: 6.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean
Abutilon megapotamicum red and yellow flower.
Abutilon megapotamicum

Abutilon megapotamicum, commonly known as Trailing Abutilon or Chinese Lantern, is a graceful shrub with arching stems and distinctive red and yellow...

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Gleditsia triacanthos Ruby Lace (Honey Locust)

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Fraxinus Purple Spire

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Cercis Oklahoma Redbud

The Cercis Oklahoma Redbud, commonly known as Eastern Redbud, is a small tree grown for its impressive foliage and flowers. Clusters of purple...

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Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple

Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple, commonly known as the Purple Beech tree, is grown for its beautiful colours and slender growth habit. The foliage...

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Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' specimen tree.
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Fagus sylvatica Riversii

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Daphniphyllum macropodum

Daphniphyllum macropodum is a truly impressive evergreen tree. The young growth in spring resembles masses of miniature Cycads and has red hues...

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Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach, commonly known as Bead Tree, White Cedar or Persian Lilac, is a fast-growing deciduous tree admired for its feathery foliage and...

A large Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa tree).
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Beilschmiedia tawa, commonly known as the Tawa Tree, is a tall and graceful evergreen native to New Zealand. It is admired for its straight trunk...

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Acaena purpurea, commonly known as Purple Bidibidi, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover admired for its striking purple foliage and creeping...

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Beilschmiedia tarairi, commonly known as the Taraire tree, is a unique, NZ native tree. Its prominent feature is the masses of olive-like, purple...

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Magnolia liliiflora Nigra (Magnolia Tree Nigra)

Magnolia liliiflora Nigra, commonly known as Black Lily, is a stunning tree that bears masses of large and showy, purple flowers from late winter...

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Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

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Hoya pubicalyx 'Royal Hawaiian Purple'

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Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Abutilon, Acaena, Acer, Beilschmiedia, Bougainvillea, Cedrela, Cercis, Corylus, Daphniphyllum, Dodonaea, Fagus, Fig, Fraxinus, Gleditsia, Hoya, Leptinella, Magnolia, Melia, Mesembryanthemum Schefflera and Sorbus, or related Categories - General Garden Fertiliser, Evergreen Climbers, Fig Plants, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, Succulents, Deciduous Trees, Evergreen Trees Magnolia Trees and Maple Tree.

Search purple abutilon tree

Why Choose a Purple Abutilon Tree?

Choosing a purple abutilon tree instantly adds a touch of the exotic while maintaining a relaxed, friendly vibe in your outdoor space. This tree typically grows between 2 and 4 metres, making it ideal for small gardens, large containers, or as a striking specimen in mixed shrub beds. Its papery purple blossoms appear from spring through to autumn, providing consistent colour long after many other plants have finished flowering.

The large, soft leaves create gentle shade, making the purple abutilon tree a popular choice for sitting areas, courtyards, or understory plantings. As an added bonus, the flowers are loved by pollinators, making this tree a perfect partner for eco-friendly and sustainable gardens.

Planting and Caring for Purple Abutilon Trees

The purple abutilon tree is relatively undemanding. It thrives best in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained, fertile soil. When planting, position your tree where it can make the most of morning sunlight and enjoy shelter from harsh winds. Regular mulching and a slow-release fertiliser application in early spring will keep your abutilon in top form.

Pruning is rarely required but can help maintain shape and size. Simply remove any damaged or wayward growth after flowering. As the purple abutilon tree is semi-deciduous in cooler regions, it may drop some leaves in winter and bounce back vigorously come spring.

Landscaping with Abutilon and Other Purple Foliage

If you’re building a purple-themed garden or looking to create dynamic colour contrasts, pair the purple abutilon tree with other ornamental plants in luscious shades. Consider planting alongside Corylus maxima Purpurea for striking dark foliage, or Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple for dramatic vertical interest and rich, purple-toned leaves.

Mix your purple abutilon with shrubs such as Abutilon vitifolium, which offers a profusion of mauve blooms, or the trail-forming Abutilon megapotamicum, beloved for its unique “Chinese lantern” flowers. For a truly bold statement, try combining with the upright Fraxinus Purple Spire.

Purple Abutilon Tree FAQ

Is the purple abutilon tree evergreen?
It is semi-evergreen in New Zealand, often holding leaves year-round in mild climates, though it may shed briefly in colder areas.

Can I grow purple abutilon in a container?
Yes, the tree performs well in large pots with good drainage and regular feeding, perfect for patios and decks.

Does the purple abutilon tree attract birds and bees?
The nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for both, supporting local biodiversity.

Discover More Purple Beauties

Ready to transform your garden with a purple abutilon tree? Browse our full range of purple-themed specimens like Corylus maxima Purpurea, Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple, and Fraxinus Purple Spire to add lasting colour and interest to your outdoor oasis.


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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

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