Clerodendrum ugandense - Butterfly Bush

Mine is just coming to the end of a serious flush of flowers!

I know they can bloom profusely most of the year. This large shrub (around 8 ft/2.5m) tall isn't as great a bloomer...like some others at the zoo.

Crikey! Mines almost as tall!

This plant has the same spread.

This shrub tends to grow extremely fast, especially when well-watered. I don't think this plant gets a lot of water.

The spread on mine was pruned back to about a metre when I bought it indoors.
As you say they're seriously thirsty!

Yes, most Clerodendrum species are very thirsty.
I almost lost my Clerodendrum quadriloculare due to not watering it back in fall during some very hot weather.

As I recall it was you who tipped me off that they were thirsty..............

Yes, most likely I did. Most Clerodendrum species are native to high rainfall areas of the tropics.

Mine are twigs at the moment. I'm not worried, I know they are fine......as soon as warm weather stars new shoots appear.

What temps have yours taken Alex?

Last year the temps dropped to -C with frost. Both plants survived so this year should be nothing for them. We are having a wet but just cold winter. (no frost, no freezing temps)

Thanks Alex!

Alexandramou:

It's suppose to be an evergreen shrub. It must be getting pretty cold for this plant to loose its leaves. Usually frost or freezing temps will cause it to loose its leaves.

Mine lost all its leaves when it took a frost - I lost my nerve and bought it indoors!

Meanie:

That was probably a good idea. I know they're pretty hardy in the ground. In a pot if the roots freeze it'll most likely will die.

That was my fear.
Got a few cuttings on the go to experiment with.

You read my mind. lol! I was going to suggest taking cuttings for experimenting in some places in your yard.

They strike easily enough and I have lots of new growth to play with!

They call it a "garden" Delonix. ;o))))
I'm not sure it will survive the temps they get in the UK. Don't forget the snow...

Did you get snow Meanie?

No frost of freezing temps so far.....it probably just doesn't like the cold. Mind you we get the wind off the sea....it might not like that either.

Alexandramou:

OK! Garden! LOL! :>)

If it snows and the ground freezes the roots will most likely die. It'll still be worth experimenting with some in the protected "GARDEN". LOL!

It's quite possible that C. ugandense doesn't like the coastal winds. It's native to the more inland areas of tropical Africa.

Got snow Alex, although it wasn't as cold as it was in mid December.

Delonix - it most certainly is a garden! A yard tends to refer to a farm or an outdoors place of work over here. Not that I'm a pedant over that sort of thing................

Yes, there's so many meaning for "yard". We Americans refer to it as the front and back yard (where the gardens are planted).

Lol.... it took me a long time to call my yard a garden. Must admit, my front garden sounds better than.....my front yard. Lol...

I use to laugh when my english friends would say "that's a pretty garden" (only a small patch at first at the side of my house) Made me feel better though.

My American friends go "garden???????????????"

As much as I love the snow....I would hate to see it on my plants because that would mean "trouble".

Snow is not as bad as a very hard frost Alex. Snow tends to be insulating except in the last couple of very hard winters that we had.

Meanie:

I would definitely have to disagree. Snow on my plants would only mean one thing, all dead plants!

"I would definitely have to disagree. Snow on my plants would only mean one thing, all dead plants!"

You grow the wrong plants!!!!

No, the perfect ones for this climate! :>)

San Diego has never recorded snow (Downtown and urban areas, where I live). Although, snow fell once in January of 1967 within the city limits above 1,200 feet.

Perhaps you should try gardening in a different climate!!!!

Yes, Hawaii would be perfect. The tropical climate would be excellent for my plants!

I was thinking more along the lines of Norway, Maybe Iceland?!!!!!

First you try it, then maybe I'll think about it, NOT!!! LOL! :>)

Where's your pioneering American spirit??!!

You can take my pioneering American spirit! LOL

In such an instance I reckon that I'll let you hang on to it if you don't mind!

LOL!