Family Sterculiaceae
Originating from USA and Mexico

A fast growing, semi-evergreen, downy stemmed, large shrub or small tree with soft lobed, dark green felty leaves and large, very showy, waxy, saucer-shaped bright yellow flowers. These appear continuously over a very long period from spring through to late autumn, followed by oval, hairy inedible fruits.
Introduced in the mid nineteenth century it has proven to be hardy across the UK to minus 15 degrees centigrade, especially if planted against a warm sunny wall; a two story house wall facing south or west is perfect.
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Will tolerate poor, alkaline soil. Caution should be taken when pruning as some find the tiny hairs to be an irritant.

Eventual mature plant size :
Height 6m
Spread 4m

Height and spread after 2 – 3 years 2.5m x 1m
Semi mature height and spread after 4 – 5 years 4m x 3m
Potential height and spread after 6 – 8 years if not pruned and depending on support provided  6m x 4m