I’m off to the UK later today for a brief stay, hoping to get some nice photos of my Mum’s garden again. My garden will be left to frazzle, but my blog will go on as usual! And my summer pots and remaining veg/herbs are in good hands, being watered and tended by my man of many talents… 
Yesterday I highlighted the Blue Potato Bush, which has been enjoying the heat and has flowered wonderfully all summer. In the second part of this series on summer container plants, an old favourite and some new varieties…
Abutilon pictum
I kept this standard abutilon in a light cool room over winter and it has done well for its second year. Last year I put it in the full sun – a mistake! It loves warmth and some sun, but suffers if the roots get too hot and can get scorched leaves too. This year it is in a sheltered, but airy spot, with partial shade on the balcony, and loves it!
~~~
Abutilon “Bella Mixed”
Planted from seed, sown in late April, these pretty plants took ages to get started, but have been beautiful, flowering since mid-July. Most of the flowers are “twin”, and last much longer than the Abutilon pictum flowers. They also love the heat and are much tougher than the Abutilon pictum, basking in the full sun on a baking hot patio!
The pink and orange ones have done best, but the creamy yellow ones have struggled a bit. These two will be rewarded and may spend the winter in our cellar…
I hope they overwinter as well as their cousin above!
Tomorrow the last summer plant in this mini-series; the Dipladenia…
I really like the orange one. Good luck overwintering them. Have a great visit.
Thank you!
Another beautiful plant with gorgeous colors but not known to me…
The Abutilon pictum is quite common for summer containers here, but the other one is new to me too.
Lower temperatures are expected at the end of the week, hopefully for your garden too! The flowers are beautiful – I’m (once again!) green with envy. Have a good break.
We had heavy rain in the night, but temperatures didn’t drop below 20! The forecast for the UK is a high daytime temperature of 20, so look forward to cooling down, and just let my garden fend for itself! Thanks for your comment Verity, and hope you get some relief from the heat too soon!
beautiful!
I quite often come here,
I learned from you from Klangebet,
so this time I have to say something: thank you Cathy!
I also loved the TED.
Thank you Nirmala. I’m glad you like it here. Have a nice day!
These were common summer flowers in my childhood … memories are back
Have a good time in the UK! Uta
Thank you Uta! Glad to remind you of something nice!
I really like this one, and love to start seeds. Did all these colors come from the same packet?
They were all in one packet and were called Abutilon ‘Bella Mixed’ F1 Hybrid… here’s the link where I got them: http://www.thompson-morgan.com . There was a pale yellowy cream one, which is much smaller and not as pretty as the other two. All the seeds germinated but a couple were eaten by snails before I could even plant them out!
Beautiful plant and pictures! Safe trip and enjoy your stay in the UK!
Thanks Simone! Mum just asked how you were – best wishes from both my parents!
Thank you so much. Please give them my best wishes as well!
Your Abutilon are lovely – beautiful colours. They always remind me of holidays in the sun. Enjoy your trip to the UK!
Thank you! Now you mention it, I’ve seen other more exotic-looking ones while on holiday too.
Beautiful! Love the mixture of pink and orange hues, even better that you can grow them from seed! Have a wonderful trip!
Thank you! Yes, those colours are so pretty!
How beautiful, and I can see the sunlight in your photos, lovely! Hope you have a great trip
Thanks Claire! These flowers adore the sun – no matter how hot! They are really amazing!
Cathy, I would love to use your photo of the Abutilon growing in the container that sits atop this article. Could you email me?
You’re welcome to use it Joe. I’ve mailed you as well. Thanks for asking!
Awesome, thanks!!