Clerodendrum philippinum -- Cashmere Bouquet Clerodendrum

info@floridagardener.com — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:32:00 GMT

This beautiful perennial shrub has its good points and bad points. On the plus side Cashmere Bouquet grows to heights of 5’ to 8', has large downy mid-to-dark green leaves, and flowers in tight clusters that are very fragrant in the evening, with a scent reminiscent (to my nose at least) of the soap “Cashmere Bouquet”. The plant’s biggest negative point is that is propagates itself with underground runners and can quickly become invasive and very difficult to control (like most of the clerodendrums) if planted directly in the ground in your garden.

Clerodendrum philippinum goes by many common names such as Chinese Glory Bower, Cashmere Bouquet, Scented Malli, False Pikake, and Glory Tree. What is so very attractive about this plant is that each flower looks almost like a tiny rose or rosebud. The calyx is rose-purple in color and quite prominent before the corolla opens.

Quick Facts about this plant –

FAMILY: Verbenaceae
ORIGIN: China, Japan
TYPE/USES: shrub
HEIGHT/SPREAD: 5 - 8 feet
GROWTH RATE: fast
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: full sun to filtered light
WATER REQUIREMENTS: average, not drought tolerant, plant in well drained soil
FLOWERS: spring through summer
ZONES: 9b to 11. Freezes kill it to the ground, but the plant will come back from the roots
INSECTS/DISEASES: Aphids and fungal diseases

Cashmere Bouquet Clerodendrum attracts bees and butterflies and is easy to propagate by root cuttings. This plant does not need a lot of fertilizer in fact over-feeding will cause it to grow excessively leafy at the expense of blooms.

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Clerodendrum philippinum -- Cashmere Bouquet Clerodendrum