Some combinations are happy accidents that if you had planned them would never have looked as good.Abutilon megapotamicum and an old Aucuba are just such a combo. Both are common in Southern gardens but I have never scene them together before and even here they met serruptiously and surprised me with a red blooming Aucuba this spring.
The Abutilon is a viney sort that disappears into the Aucuba`s foliage and weaves around the plant. The gangliness of the Abutilon is hidden by the stiffness of its companion. The result is beautiful.
The Abutilon slow down its blooming during the heat of summer but starts up again as the nights cool. The heat tolerance of the flowering maple(Abutilon) is amazing for a plant from southern South America. It shows its heritage by blooming off and on durying my zone 8b winters.
I heartly recommend trying this combo out in your own yard.
