Clerodendrum bungei

Sunset

Clerodendrum bungei, photo courtesy of Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Click to Enlarge

Zones 5-9, 12-24

Partial, Shade

Moderate

Cashmere Bouquet

Evergreen, Shrubs, Flowers

CLERODENDRUM

Diverse group of plants grown for big clusters of showy, brightly colored flowers that are fragrant in some species. Bloom comes on current season’s growth. Provide support for climbing species. Grow in well-drained soil. Good greenhouse plants in areas beyond their hardiness limits.

Clerodendrum bungei

Native to China. Plant grows rapidly to 6 ft. tall and wide; spreads rapidly by suckers, eventually forming a thicket if not restrained. Big (to 1 ft.), coarse, broadly oval leaves with toothed edges are dark green above, with a rust-colored fuzz beneath. Leaves smell unpleasant when bruised or crushed. Loose clusters of delightfully fragrant rosy red flowers in summer, sometimes into fall. Plant where its appearance (except during bloom time) is not important.Prune severely in spring and pinch back throughout thegrowing season to make a compact, 2–3-ft. shrub. Resists oak root fungus. Deer-resistant.Deep shade in desert regions,partial shade elsewhere.