Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirds - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Abelia is a popular evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub with a rounded, fountain-like growth habit. It is fast-growing, growing up to 4-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. Its leaves are fine-textured, glossy, oval, and dark green, usually 2 inches long, and the new growth has a bronze color. Abelia produces small, white and pink tubular flowers in clusters at the end of its stems, from summer to fall. The flowers are barely one inch long, but they are slightly fragrant - which attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

This shrub is a great choice for planting near a pool, as it loves both full sun and semi-shade exposure. When watering it, allow the soil to dry out between waterings. It is mostly pest- and disease-free. Mature Abelias can withstand temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit for a limited time.

Hyperacanthus amoenus is another popular evergreen shrub. It has pinkish red flowers with off-white petals that are fragrant, followed by green fruits that turn brown when ripe. This shrub is easy to grow, needing only full sun and regular watering - though it should be in USDA Zones 8 -9 for full protection from cold weather. For areas with colder climates, it is recommended to keep the plant in a pot and move it indoors in winter. In such a case, extra care should be taken to make sure it has enough water, light and fertilizer. Pruning may also be necessary to ensure the plant remains within the size desired.

Its palmate leaves are highly dissected with five to nine deep lobes. The largest, widest leaves form at the base of the plant, where there may be some small side branches. The blooms (4-5" in diameter) are pale yellow with a dark maroon to purple center eye, and emerge from the terminal end of a central flowering stalk.It is easily propagated from cuttings, easy to cultivate, relatively disease-resistant and even is considered to be of medicinal value. It is widely planted either along borders of gardens or as an intercrop throughout many traditional gardens in the tropics. A nice flowering addition to the vegetable garden.

Brazilian Bell-flower is a fun and easy-to-grow hummingbird magnet for the perennial border. In the garden or in a hanging container, it spreads to several feet wide in a single season. In the wild, Abutilon megapotamicum reaches 8' tall, but in cultivation arely exceeds 5' tall, and less when grown as a potted plant. During warm months, the plants are laden with cool 2" hanging lantern-like flowers composed of red calyces above the yellow petals, ending with its bright red privates dangling beneath... all carefully arranged between the thumb-sized green leaves.

Abutilon pictum, also known as the Golden Rain Flowering Maple, is a fast-growing tropical flowering shrub that is prized for its speckled, maple-shaped leaves and showy, coral-orange flowers. This striking shrub is a great accent or border plant for areas that don't experience frost, as it can easily be espaliered against a wall. Abutilon pictum Thompsonii, a variety with golden leaf variegation and peach colored flowers with red veins, is an especially showy container specimen and a beautiful addition to any bright patio or indoor location.

Abutilon pictum is native to South America and is grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8-10. It requires a wa

Abutilon species, commonly known as flowering maples or Chinese lanterns, are evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubs grown for their attractive maple-like foliage and pendant, bell-shaped blooms. Many garden forms are complex hybrids, combining traits from several South American species. These hybrids are valued for their long flowering season, compact to medium growth habit, and wide color range including white, yellow, orange, pink, and red. Some cultivars feature variegated leaves, adding extra ornamental appeal.

Hybrid abutilons thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer fertile, well-drained soil with regular watering. They benefit from pruning in early spring to maintain shape and encourage branching, and pinching growing tips promotes a bushier form. Hardy in USDA Zones 8-11, they can tolerate brief drops to near freezing but require frost protection. In colder climates, hybrids are well-suited to container culture, allowing them to be overwintered indoors or in sheltered areas. Regular feeding during the growing season supports continuous blooming, and spent flowers should be removed to prolong display.