This shrub has an upright spreading habit with slender arching stems that overlap. It has bright green heart-shaped leaves and the pendant bell-shaped red-yellow flowers appear from late spring to late summer.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Abutilon megapotamicumis naturally found in South America growing in Brazil in sub-tropical forests from a sea level to an attitude of 1000 m (3280 ft).

It grows in well drained moderately fertile, organic rich moist soils that are tending acidic with a pH 5.5-6.5. It prefers a wind protected semi shaded to full sun position and is drought and frost tender.

The Brazilian Bellflower is a colourful shrub that is grown for its pendant flowers and spreading habit. It is planted along low borders or used on embankments as a ground cover. It is also used as a spill-over above retaining walls or planted around a water feature for a tropical effect. In cool regions it is cultivated as an indoor or glasshouse specimen establishing in 2 to 4 years. The variegated form used for foliage contrast and is commonly cultivated. It has a medium water requirement once established (Scale: 2-drops from 3) and responds to mulching with an occasional deep watering during dry periods. ID 104

Abutilon(a-BEW-ti-lon) megapotamicum(meg-a-pot-ĂM-ik-um)

"Abutilon": from the Arabic name for a related plant; "megapotamicum": big river (a reference to Brazil's Rio Grande, where the plant is found); "variegatum": variegated.

Malvaceae(mal-VAY-see-ee)
Cotton, Mallows and Hollyhocks