Abutilon megapotamicum

Plant information

Abutilon megapotamicum

 

Genus  

Abutilon (Also called trailing Abutilon)

Species

megapotamicum

Cultivar/variety

 

General description

 

Partly evergreen shrub grown for pendulous, lantern-like red and yellow flowers. Best grown in a sheltered position or in a conservatory. The flowers produce a lot of nectar and are attractive to wildlife.

 

Said to be tender, but we've had one growing in the garden here for three years now, sheltered against a west-facing fence, and although the frost has nipped it a couple of times it's still healthy. It may have taken a little longer to get fully established, but flowered very well in its third year.

 

Update: June 2006. I thought after the long winter of 2005-06, that the plant in our garden might have succumbed to the cold but it seems fine and is leafing out again.

Season of interest

Leaves in mild areas, flowers in summer.

Key horticultural features

  1. Habit - lax, trailing. H&S: 2.5m.

  2. Stems - narrow and arching.

  3. Leaves - mid-green, ovate, narrow, tapering, scalloped edges.

  4. Flowers -  pendulous, lantern-like flowers. A red calyx encloses a yellow flower.

Cultural details

Aspect

Sunny and sheltered. Best grown against a south or west facing wall or fence.

Soil

Well drained and light.

Hardiness

Frost hardy down to -5.

Maintenance

Prune lightly in late spring, removing unwanted growth. Tip prune to promote a bushy habit.

 

May be affected by virus and by glasshouse red spider mite, aphids, mealybugs, scale insects and glasshouse white fly. Some of the pests will be more likely if the plant is grown under cover. Our outdoor specimen hasn't suffered from anything yet.

Propagation

 

By softwood cuttings in summer or by seed in spring. It is recommended to take cuttings in summer to ensure the plant's survival should it be killed by winter cold.