Clerodendrum trichotomum

Sunset

Zones 5, 6, 15-17, 20-32

Partial

Moderate

Harlequin Glorybower
Verbenaceae
Deciduous, Shrubs, Trees

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 trichotomum

Native to Japan. Shrub reaches 10–15 ft. tall and as wide, with many stems growing from base. Can be trained as a small tree. Soft, hairy, oval dark green leaves to 5 in. long. Fragrant blossoms—each a white tube almost twice as long as the prominent, fleshy, scarlet calyxes surrounding it—come in late summer. Calyxes hang on and contrast pleasingly with metallic-looking turquoise or blue-green fruit. Give this shrub plenty of room to spread at top; add plants underneath it to hide its legginess. In coldest zones, it may periodically freeze to the ground and come back from roots.