Dombeya burgessiae

[Paul T]

OK, a technical heading I realise, but it about fits.  I was at a friend's place 3 hours north of here yesterday and he has been unable to work out what this particular plant is despite taking pieces to nurseries etc.

If you take the flowers away to me it is very reminiscent of the "Rose of Sharon" hibiscus with the slightly furry foliage and shape of leaves etc.  The stems and new shoots look very much like Abutilon stems and shoots (the new shoots in particular!)  So both of these remind of the Hibiscus family...... but then there are the flowers (which are each about an inch across, perhaps a bit more.  I forgot to measure them), which as you can see are definitely NOT Hibiscus flowers as they're in multiples, and the style arrangement etc is all wrong.  The colour of the flowers is the most wonderful baby pink,which I think I captured pretty well in the pic.  The shrub is around 3 metres tall approximately, and if it wasn't in flower I would have said it was of the hibiscus family.  Anyone know what it is?  I've taken pics of the flowers and stems, plus a couple of pictures to show the leaves and arrangements etc.

Now, if anyone knows what this is, can you also tell me how cold tolerant it is?  His garden is well established enough that I think no frosts get to his plants at all, but I am hoping that this plant will take some cold as I just love it (it apparently strikes easily from cuttings! <grin>)

Any ideas anyone?  I would know where to even start looking family-wise.

Thanks in anticipation.

Subject line updated from "Pink Shrub Thing" to reflect positive ID.  Thanks Arisaema.

[Lvandelft]

Looking at the leaves which are 'vitis'like, it might be some
form of Abutilon vitifolia.
Otherwise I've no idea Paul.

[arisaema]

You're in the right family, it's a Dombeya of some sort. Plantfiles lists them as hardy down to z9b-10a.

[Paul T]

Thank you kindly Arisaema (Sorry, I don't know your real name).  Searching on the genus I've come up with Dombeya burgessiae as the plant my friend has.  Some pics show a dark centre to the flower, while others show the flower like in my pictures, but the leaves definitely match.  So it is related to the Abutilons etc (given your comment about the family name)?  I can only find references to the Sterculiaceae family, which I do not recognise.

Thanks so VERY much again for the pointer to the name.  My friend will be very pleased, and so will I once I get a plant of it too, as it will apparently take light frosts and therefore I'll give it a go.

[arisaema]

So it is related to the Abutilons etc (given your comment about the family name)?  I can only find references to the Sterculiaceae family, which I do not recognise.

Last I checked Sterculinaceae, Tiliaceae and Bombacaceae were all lumped into Malvaceae - but it wouldn't come as a surprise if the taxonomists have changed their minds again, or maybe they never agreed in the first place. Best of luck with overwintering it!