Plant of the month - November
Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii
Common name: Harlequin glorybower
Family: Verbenaceae
Vital statistics
Height and spread: 5-6m (15-20ft) high and wide
Form: Upright, deciduous shrub
Soil: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil
Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
Hardiness: Hardy throughout the British Isles
Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii AGM @ Harlow Carr
Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii AGM (Harlequin glorybower) is in the Scented Garden at Harlow Carr. It has an amazing perfume followed by these bright blue fruits popular with birds in November.
Clerodendrum
This is a genus of about 250 species of deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs and climbers, mainly found in woodland in tropical and subtropical regions. They are grown for their showy, often fragrant flowers with cylindrical tubes and protruding stamens.
This plant is a native to Western China. It has very fragrant, pretty white flowers in August. These are followed by outstanding and eye-catching, metallic-blue berries in autumn. These berries are enclosed by colourful, maroon calyces (sepals of a flower). The fruit should not be eaten. It is a sensational, late-flowering, large shrub or small tree and suitable for gardens of most sizes.
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Clerodendrum trichotomum is an upright, bushy, deciduous shrub or small tree from China and Japan with opposite, ovate, entire or sparsely toothed, dark green leaves to 20cm (8in) long. From late summer to mid-autumn it bears fragrant white flowers with red sepals in erect, axillary cymes to 20cm (8in) across. The berries are bright blue.
Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii
Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii is from western China, and has young bronze leaves and flowers with green sepals. The flowers are followed by outstanding and eye-catching, metallic-blue berries in autumn. These berries are enclosed by colourful, maroon calyces (sepals of a flower).
It is named in honour of Paul Guillaume Farges (1844-1912), a French missionary and naturalist in Central China.
AGM
The RHS Woody Plant Committee awarded Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii an Award of Garden Merit and described it as:
"Large, vigorous deciduous shrub with large ovate leaves and highly fragrant white flowers, borne in crimson calyces. Berry turquoise, held within the persistent calyx."
Cultivation
-
Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
-
Prune in late winter to remove misplaced branches.
Propagation
-
Sow seed at 13-18 °C in spring and grow on.
-
Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer and propagate with bottom heat.
Take root cuttings in winter.
Try removing suckers from shrubs or trees in autumn or spring and potting up.
Links
Image: Andrew Chapman/RHS