Subtropical plant - 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.

The flowers appear in the upper leaf axils and stem ends, 1-8 together in a short cyme; they are pendulous, white to pink, bell-shaped with a five-lobed corolla.

The species from warm climates are evergreen, and colder climate species deciduous.

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.

Valued as an ornamental plant, due to its colorful and attractive flowers. The leaves are alternate, rough, hairy, heart-shaped or 3-5 lobed with serrated margins. Flowers are Hibiscus-like.

Cultivated for aromatic oil from seeds. Young leaves, shoots, and unripe seedpods are cooked as a vegetable.

Abutilon megapotamicum, commonly known as Trailing Abutilon, Brazilian Bellflower, or Chinese Lantern, is a graceful evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub native to southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. A member of the Malvaceae family, it is prized for its slender arching branches and distinctive lantern-like flowers that bloom over an exceptionally long season. Reaching 5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.5 m) tall with a similar spread, it can be grown as a free-standing shrub, trained on a trellis, or allowed to cascade from hanging baskets and containers.

Its small, soft green leaves provide an attractive backdrop for the dangling flowers, each featuring a bright red inflated calyx surrounding protruding yellow petals and a prominent purple-brown staminal column. Blooming is often continuous from spring through fall, and nearly year-round in frost-free climates, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Abutilon megapotamicum grows best in full sun to partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil with regular moisture, although established plants tolerate brief dry spells. Light pruning encourages a fuller habit and more abundant flowering. Hardy in USDA Zones 9b-11, it is an excellent choice for cottage gardens, patios, mixed borders, and containers where its unusual pendant blooms can be appreciated up close.