Abutilon megapotamicum 'Little Imp'

Scientific Name: Callianthe megapotamica 'Little Imp'

Also Known As

Abutilon 'Little Imp'
Brazilian Bellflower
Flowering Maple
Little Shrimp Chinese Lantern

Plant type

shrub, perennial

size

H: 3'-5'
W: 3'-5'

planting zones

8b-12

More Options

Abutilon megapotamicum 'Little Imp' plant details

Abutilon megapotamicum 'Little Imp' is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial shrub with green foliage. In fall, spring, summer and winter red and yellow flowers emerge. Attracts bees and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Abutilon megapotamicum 'Little Imp'

Plant type: perennial shrub
Plant family: malvaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT - 5 FT - wide, 3 FT - 5 FT - tall
Flowers: red and yellow blooms in fall, spring, summer and winter
Uses: container plant, long-blooming, tropical-looking

GROWING CONDITIONS for Abutilon megapotamicum 'Little Imp'

USDA Zones: 8b - 12
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: heat and humidity
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Abutilon megapotamicum 'Little Imp' is raved over in our garden. Seems hard to not love the bi-colored yellow and red Turk's cap-like flowers that abundantly cover the shrub. This little imp would flower all year, if Jack Frost would let it. In some of the mild winters of late, it's stayed semi-evergreen here in zone 8a and even spit out a few flowers - enough to say, "that crazy plant is flowering in winter!" We love how it colonized the area it was planted in - and would dig up suckers to give to the friends who rave (this plant is not patented so you can too!). Since our plant is growing in partial shade, we whack it back to within 6-12 inches of the ground every spring to promote dense, new growth (moral of the story: in full sun it is a denser plant (more foliage) plus it flowers more abundantly). It grows great in our heavy clay soils and we hear it's happy in sandy soils too. Little Imp is shorter than the straight species.