Bleeding Hearts, Glorybowers

(Reddish-flowered Clerodendrums)

C. Xspeciosum Dombrain

Clerodendrum thomsoniae I. B. Balfour with cultivar ‘Delectum’

C. splendens G. Don

C. paniculatum L. (Pagoda Flower)

C. speciosissimum Van Geert ex C. Morren with cultivar ‘Mary Jane’

C. bungei Steud.

cler-oh-DEN-drum spee-see-OH-sum, tom-SOAN-ee-eye, SPLEN-dens,

pan-ick-you-LAY-tum, spee-see-oh-SIS-ah-mum, BUNGE-ee-eye

Verbenaceae

Explanation of names: Clerodendrum : Greek for tree and chance

                                        speciosum means beautiful. The X signifies hybrid origins

                                        thomsoniae: for Mrs. W. Thomson wife of a missionary (WA1)

                                        splendens: self-explanatory

                                        paniculatum: flowers in panicles

                                        speciosissimum: very beautiful

bungei: honors Alexander von Bunge, 1803-1890, Russian botanist and physician (BA1)

Natural range: Old World (see below)

Recognition (data in part from BA1, WU1):

Key to the Reddish-Flowered or Purple-Flowered Clerodendrums Commonly Cultivated in South Florida

1. Plants erect shrubs…2

1. Plants twining vines…4

2. Flowers rose-violet or pink, in flat-topped clusters…C. bungei

2. Flowers predominantly scarlet (may be rose and may be mixed with other colors), in pyramidal clusters…3

3. Leaves unlobed, densely pubescent on both surfaces; flowers > 1” long, not in pyramid-shaped clusters (but in non-pyramidal thyrses)…C. speciosissimum

3. Leaves often lobed, glabrous, scaly below, or lightly pubescent on both surfaces; flowers  to ¾” long, numerous in pyramid-shaped inflorecences…C. paniculatum

4. Calyx white…C. thomsoniae

4. Corolla rose or red…5

5. Corolla rose-purple…C. Xspeciosum

5. Calyx scarlet…C. splendens

Note: The applications of English names to these species are inconsistent. HUX notes that Clerodendrums may be propagated by root cuttings. Flowers are on the current year’s growth.

            Clerodendrum bungei, Rose-Glorybower, Cashmere-Bouquet, native to China, erect, spreading shrub to about 6’ tall, with large leaves pubescent beneath, the flowers rose-violet or pink, in broad, dense corymbs (flat-topped or nearly flat curved-top clusters) reminiscent of hydrangeas. Space 3’-4’ (DAV) in SU-PS (DAV). Water ME (DAV). Escapes cultivation in Florida and other southern states, thus not recommended for cultivation.

            C. paniculatum, Pagoda-Flower, native to Southeast Asia, shrub usually to about 6’ tall, the leaves to a foot across, often lobed, both surfaces glabrous to slightly pubescent; flowers 3/4” long, red, in tiered, pagodalike clusters, the fruits black. Similar to C. speciosissimum---both species having red flowers in pyramidal clusters and large, sometimes cordate and sometimes pubescent leaves. Both sometimes referred to as “Pagoda-Flower.”  Clerodendrum paniculatum differs from C. speciosissimum by having smaller flowers (3/4” vs. > 1”) and leaves glabrous to lightly pubescent (vs. densely pubescent on both surfaces). According to CHR (for C. paniculatum), flowers SU-FA (and beyond), best in RS, SU(PS), ME (native to wet habitats according to the Flora of China). Often used at the backs of gardens rising above shorter plants. Can be grown from root cuttings (CHR) in addition to stem cuttings. For formal description and illustration in the Flora of China: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200019343

            Clerodendrum speciosissimum, Java Glorybower, native to Java and Sri Lanka (NE1), escaped in Florida (WU1, NE1). Erect and tall (to 12’) with a well defined central “trunk,” the leaves over a foot long and densely pubescent on both sides (WU1), the inflorescence a pagoda of scarlet flowers having tubes 1” long. HUX notes exceptional recovery from especially harsh pruning.

            C. Xspeciosum, a hybrid intermediate between C. thomsoniae and C. splendens, having a twining habit, flowers in cymes, and persistent purplish calyces.

            C. splendens, Flaming Glorybower, native to Africa, a twining species with the calyx (sepals) red. According to CHR, best in nearly full sun with some protection in summer, moist, pinched to promote flowering.

            C. thomsoniae, Bleeding-Heart (a name often applied to other plants), an African species with twining habit, glabrous leaves to 6” long, flowers having distinctive white calyces and red petals, in axillary racemes. It fares well in PS (PBCC), although DAV suggests full sun as acceptable. Watering needs are ME (PBCC, DAV), DAV prefers RS, although poor, alkaline soil appears to be tolerated (PBCC). Flowers appear SP-SU (DAV) and into FA (PBCC).

Horticultural data: See comments under individual species above