I've had flowering maples not make seeds. I'm not sure if it is because the plants are outbreeding(needing pollen from another plant,) if a certain type of insect needs to pollinate the blossoms, or if hybrids are sterile, but I'm guessing it is a common problem. I would try cuttings.
Remy

thanks, I think I'll do that.
The funny thing is, this plant was from seeds I managed to save from another abutilon, but I had just rolled the dried flower and got lucky with a couple seeds. The seeds took forever to germinate, too. I had given up on them after a month or so and shoved them into a plastic baggie on a wet paper towel and one finally germinated.