Abutilon megapotamicum

Scientific Name: Callianthe megapotamica

Also Known As

Brazillian Bell-flower
Flowering Maple
Trailing Abutilon

Plant type

shrub, perennial

size

H: 5'-6'
W: 4'-6'

planting zones

7a-12

More Options

Abutilon megapotamicum plant details

Abutilon megapotamicum is a fast-growing 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 - dappled shade and even moisture - occasional 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

Plant type: perennial shrub
Plant family: malvaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 4 FT - 6 FT - wide, 5 FT - 6 FT - tall
Flowers: red and yellow blooms in fall, spring, summer and winter
Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, floriferous, long-blooming, trellis, tropical-looking

GROWING CONDITIONS for Abutilon megapotamicum

USDA Zones: 7a - 12
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
Resistant to: heat and humidity
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Abutilon megapotamicum is known as the trailing abutilon, trailing flowering maple, or Brazilian bellflower. It will bloom constantly from spring until fall with bright yellow and red pendulous flowers that resemble lanterns. The plants are upright to arching to sprawling. They can be pruned to shape. The foliage is lobed and maple-like. Easy to grow in the garden or containers. In colder zones bring indoors in winter as an easy houseplant. Popular with hummingbirds.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

A ‘hummer crack’ shrub, we have to duck in the winter greenhouse to keep from being speared as the little birds swoop by to their favorite nectar hole! Kind of a sprawling shrub, 3-4’ in winter freeze areas where it dies back to the roots, 5-6’ in light frost/freeze free places, very long season of bloom, summer to frost, 2” dangling bright red calyxes top yellow petals for a two toned Japanese lantern effect. Morning sun (full sun in the north or on the coast), rich moist soil and frequent feeding/pinching to look its best. Also nice in baskets, pots. USDA Zone 8 4"x 5" pot

By: Secret Garden Growers

Abutilon megapotamicum features arching branches of maple-like leaves lined with petite, bell-shaped flowers. The striking blooms have a deep-red calyx and pale yellow petals and will attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Abutilons are very heat tolerant, making them excellent for summer gardens or containers in the hot sun. Provide winter protection in cooler climates. They thrive in well-drained soil with occasional feedings. With a shrubby, trailing habit, it can be trained as a border shrub, shady ground cover or used in a hanging basket. Pinch the young leaf stems to encourage more branching. Prune lightly to shape and remove dead stems.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Small, but significant and festive flowers, yellow with large bright red calyces, dangle amid pointed dark green leaves. Didn't miss a beat, here at the nursery, in the zero degree temperatures of 2013. This is one floriferous Brazilian! Grows 4 ft tall x 4 ft wide with a somewhat lax habit. Hummingbirds like the Abutilons. Collect them all! Minimum temperature: 0°F

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

A very floriferous and everblooming variety and which makes a beautiful hanging basket or trailing plant. It has pendulous flowers, which consist of a showy red calyx from which the lemon-yellow petals emerge. Easy to grow. An interesting heat loving tropical.