A Brazilian bellflower hanging overhead in the subtropical garden
While there are a lot of different Abutilon varieties, Abutilon megapotamicum (aka: “The Brazilian Bellflower”) is one of my favorites.
Unlike others in this genus, these guys like to grow tall (8-10 ft / 3 m) and leggy, with yellow and green speckled leaves and orange bell-shaped flowers that bloom from December to May. I like to plant them in areas where I’m trying enclose the garden so it’s sort of a “room” in which you’re surrounded by leafy subtropicals and these grow above your head forming a “roof” of dappled yellow and green maple leaves and pretty orange flowers that look down at you.
Light through a leafy “rooftop” of Brazilian bellflower
My only complaint is that hummingbirds also love these flowers, so when they’re in full bloom you can get dive-bombed repeatedly.
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