The Chinese Lantern

Here's a great plant for a semi-shaded spot in the garden, maybe under some trees in the back yard. It's the Chinese Lantern ( Abutilon ) . This plant is renowned for it's hanging flowers. There are many varieties and cultivars of the Abutilon, with many colors and interesting shaped flowers and green, maple-shaped leaves. There are red flowers, orange,pinks, Lilacs, and also multi-coloured flowers.

This plant will grow in most areas, tropical temperate and cooler. It will tolerate light frosts in a cool climate, but it's best to move them to a sheltered position in frost -prone areas if possible. You can also plant them in a sunny position in the garden, but here they will have a more compact habit than those grown in more shade.

Amazingly, nobody has been able to establish the original parentage of these plants, but it is though they may have come from some of the South American species of Abutilon. Either way, they are a superb addition to any garden. I photographed the first plant in Sydney's Northern suburbs.

Source quoted for 2nd, 3rd and 4th images.

Source ; https://www.bhg.com.au/chinese-lanterns