Abutilon x megapotamicum Pink Charm

The Abutilon x megapotamicum 'Pink Charm' is an exotic and floriferous bush that enjoys humid heat. It is relatively easy to grow in the ground where winters are mild, or in a pot to be protected over winter in cooler climates. Forming a beautiful bush with slender arching branches, which can be trailing or climbing if trained, the bush produces pretty bell-shaped flowers in antique pink that hang from a long peduncle in the axil of each leaf. It is evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on the climate, and is hardy down to -6°C in sheltered locations.

The 'Pink Charm' Abutilon belongs to the mallow family, just like lavaters and hibiscus. It is a horticultural hybrid derived from Abutilon megapotamicum, native to southern Brazil and Uruguay. The plant, which grows quite slowly, reaches about 1.20m (3.94 ft) in all directions when grown in a container or large pot. In the ground, its growth can be more substantial. The abundant flowering occurs from May-June until the first frost. The flowers open along the flexible stems, in the axils of the leaves, hanging from a long peduncle. They consist of 5 brownish to rosy sepals fused into a bell shape, gradually revealing 5 dark pink veined petals on a pale old pink background, and prominent purple-violet stamens. The evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage (destroyed below -5°C), consists of alternate, oblong to ovoid, bright green leaves. 

The Pink Charm Abutilon is a charming bush from the tropical and subtropical regions of South America that perfectly embodies the exoticism and generosity of its native lands. This plant is capable of regrowing from the stump after enduring short freezes around -6°C, if planted in a very sheltered location, against a south-facing wall for example. It can be grown as a bush, or trained against a wall, trellis, or fence. In this use, it pairs well with other Abutilons, Solanum rantonetti or jasminoides, Sollya heterophylla, and black-eyed Susans, lovely climbers with exotic charm. Elsewhere, it can be easily grown in a large pot that can be placed on the terrace from April to October, in order to protect it from extreme cold in winter.