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Clerodendrum trichotomum

harlequin glorybower

A deciduous large shrub or small tree with variable simple leaves, larger on young plants, the lower ones sometimes deeply two- ot three-lobed towards the apex. Fragrant flowers are produced from midsummer to autumn in long-stalked cymes from the axils of the upper leaves. Corolla white, in a reddish calyx, which deepens in colour as the fruits ripen in autumn. Berries bright blue at first, ultimately black, contrasting with the red calyces

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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green
Autumn White Green Blue
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Clerodendrum can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, trees or climbers, with simple, often unpleasantly scented, leaves and panicles of usually fragrant salver-shaped flowers with prominent stamens, followed by small berries

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Japan

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich moist soil in a sheltered position in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by root cuttings or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)

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