Chinese Lanterns Callianthe megapotamica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Abutilon inflatum
- Abutilon megapontamicum
- Periptera megapotamica
- Sida megapotamica
- Phonetic Spelling
- kal-lee-AN-thee meg-uh-poh-TAY-mih-kuh
- Description
-
Brazillian Bellflower is a showy, partially evergreen, perennial shrub in the mallow family, native to Brazil. It has showy, red and yellow flowers that appear in late spring. Some benefits of this plant are that it is easy-to-grow, attracts hummingbirds, grows fast, and has unique flowers (that look like lanterns) up till frost. This plant could be used as an ornamental or be a great addition to a perrenial border.
Pruning should be done in late winter. If you want the plant to have a bushy form, you can prune as much as 40 percent the size.
Sometimes, spider mites or leggy growth can be a problem. You may have an allergic reaction or irritated skin if you touch the plant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Marianne'
- 'Thomsonii'
- 'Variegatum'
- 'Wisley Red'
- 'Marianne'
- 'Marianne', 'Thomsonii', 'Variegatum', 'Wisley Red'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Marianne'
- 'Thomsonii'
- 'Variegatum'
- 'Wisley Red'
- 'Marianne'
- 'Marianne', 'Thomsonii', 'Variegatum', 'Wisley Red'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Callianthe
- Species:
- megapotamica
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Brazil
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The bell-shaped flowers have both male and female parts. These flowers look like lanterns, hang downwards, are 2 inches, and yellow petals underneath the red calyces.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
