PF says zone 9a, so unless you are able to protect it in some way or have a warmer microclimate in one part of your yard it probably won't make it, but plants sometimes surprise you! And if you have a mild winter then it's definitely got a chance. However, since it's a later winter bloomer, if it gets too much winter damage it likely wouldn't bloom for you even if it's not damaged enough to kill it.
Clerodendrum Question
It has got down to 25 to 27 degrees where I am at and has done fine. I'm not sure how much lower it will go.
OK we have on this forum what Cleros you don't like so tell me what is your favorite one.
Well, I've got a greenhouse, so I guess I'd better dig it up.
My favorite is Speciosissimum. It blooms those bright red-orange flowers all summer, & is easy to grow from seeds or cuttings. Additionally, it is not bothered by insects.
I have to agree with Gaylams. I love the spec. I had a nice row of them when I first bought my house and they did great for several years but one summer, we deluges of rain with lots of standing water which apparently they don't like because the whole row died. I have since gotten another one and it's doing great.
Those are such happy looking plants! We had a big grove of them in the back of our "yard" in Naples, FL, they had been there forever. You could mow them, cut them, whatever, they always came back and bloomed. I never watered or fertilized them once in 4 years, they never had a problem or a pest. I gave away a lot of seeds during that time because friends always wanted "that pretty red flower"
Please don't think we were plant abusers- when we first bought the house we literally had to machete our way from the house to the back of the 1/3 acre yard to see what we even had.
It's hard for me to imagine C. Speciosissimum being unhappy with ANY kind of treatment! It's a sweetie.
kinda hard to kill any clero. They are all tough as nails.
Okay plantnutga thanks. I think I'm in that same zone, where nothing really likes full sun. I have it moved in an area of more afternoon sun, and it seems not so happy. May move it to more shade.
Yes I noticed my peanut butter one is really growing well right now.
Sooo... I need to get my hands on a Speciosissimum. I noticed there was also the Speciosissimum vine. I have delectum), but I noticed there are some better looking that aren't delectum that produce more red flowers.
I have a peanut butter smelling leaf C. with a rosebud bouquet looking flower. I never would have smelled the leaf if I hadn't read DG entries. I got it off of eBay, it was listed as Clerodendrum fragrans chinense. The flowerhead on the adult looks like a cross between a lacecap and a small bouquet of sweetheart roses
mine showed up with partial bloom but hasn't bloomed yet, the photo is from the ebay listing when I bought it
plantnutga
Hmmm...leaves look a bit like trichotomum, but the flowers look more like philippinum. At least that is from the reference of my plant.
Picture of mine- no blooms though
here is a picture of the Clerodendrum calamitosum-
truth is, I can't find much on this one. but what I have read, doesn't say anything about vining, just that it is more of a shrub.
close up
I have some pld C. Speciosissimum seeds, they may not be viable but then again a with bulletproof plant like that who knows? I haven't kept them in a Kryptonite container....I'm going to test them, if they are viable I would be happy to share.
I checked my new C. out again, no blooms. It probably needs some TLC- I had to put it in the ground before our 2 week vacation, I just stuck it into a section of my garden near a sprinkler last minute to ensure its survival. Now I'm on gardening restriction post-surgery, so I'll probably wait until fall to mess with it.
the C. Wally World is holding out on me, it is budded up but I'm waiting for the buds to uncurl so that I can show you the blooms. We've had a couple of sunny days after LOTS of rain so it might be ready this weekend.
plantnutga
Plantnutga--I would think clero seed would make it. I think if given a half a chance--the species has aspirations of world domination-lol.
Debbie
I second that- although I haven't gotten the ugandense - seed/berries to do anything
Randy--nor me on the ugandense. It seems to be the most 'orderly/controllable' of the species though--but I'm kinda bored with it since I've had the plant for 10 years. Roots easily and sits there within its "assigned" seating area in the garden though--lol
LOL...I know what you mean. Mine is turning into a small tree now, with well defined trunk and branches. I still love it, but I know what you mean- as a collector....NEXT!
Mine's sitting at 9' and holding Randy--but I have multiple trunks due to the fact it freezes to ground level for me every year! By the way I have your plants still--I was thinking of coming by on the morning of Oct 12--Houston Plant Mart and Bulb sale day and leaving them for you, if you are at work then. But it will be EARLY am--lol
That's cool- but I would like to meet you -
Mornings are good for me. I think it's time for a Jerrys jungle sale again too.
Randy--The Bulb and Plant Mart is Oct 12-14. You should probably reserve the Sun the 14th date on your calender. That's when they have their rare tropicals. Prices are really good, it's a fund raiser for Houston Garden Club for the endangered plants garden at Mercer. I'll be going at 9:00 on Thurs--so I might appear at your door about 6:30 or 7:00. lol
Incisum was rudely yanked from the ground and returned to its pot last weekend--it never batted an eyelash and commenced to set its 4th flush of blooms. That's a 3' fence behind it.
ugandense with a standard suburban privacy fence behind it. I think I don't have enough 'real estate' for another huge clero--lol--but at least this one stays in its assigned area.
By the way, my Speciosissimum seeds aren't pld, they are old..... slip of the finger! if they are viable I will be quite impressed, we left Naples 5 years ago.
I do agree about the world domination thing, though!
Ugandese doesn't make me do cartwheels either but it's nice as a tried-and-true and I have never had health/pest issues with it. (famous last words!)
plantnutga
Holy Moly! I had no idea Ugandese got that big! Yikes!
Plant--I wouldn't doubt it for a minute that they are still viable--lol
I have a feeling that after a nuclear war the only things left would be cockroaches and clerodendrum
:)
and cher. lol
You almost made me spray water all over my keyboard, I was takign a drink when I hit your posting
:)
Yes, definitely Cher.
Wow- yours really came back with a vengence. I planted one in the front, mostly sun and it is growing very fast.
Ohh..tsk...YOUR running out of room! My ugandense is that big ball in the center- So while I keep on collecting- there just isn't any more room..in the back anyway. There is that pesky surface in front called a lawn..hmm...:)
I've also been thinking of that pesky area in the front called a lawn. If it weren't there, I wouldn't have to pay to have it cut either. I don't do "turf grass" by the way; that's the one plant I have no desire whatsoever to collect. lol
me neither. Matter of fact, I was contemplating this program that has surfaced in Californina (Where they are converting several front lawns throughout the nation- into a food garden. It will be completely documented on film. I needed to get sponsored by someone though . Apparently in the old days- the front yard was the corn and peas . The organization said it was the biggest waste of land in the country- and I agree. The organization after the experiments will really be pushing for a new change in the "grassy landscape of Americas front yard".
I'm with you Randy--but I'm not sure how that would fly down here in Bubbaland. You would have a better chance than me of getting away with it, the parents in the Heights were much more progressive than they are out here in suburbia. I wouldn't mind xeriscaping part of the front--I could probably get away with that--lol.
I am slowly trying to get rid of the lawn, at least in the front yard. Half of it is already designed with walkways and plants and the other half has four large beds and I am getting ready to work on another. The driveway separates the two sides of the lawn. We live on 2 acres so you can imagine how much room I have to play with. At times I wish our yard was so much smaller but then I see another plant I just have to have and am thankful for the size I do have.
Anybody want to trade a C. speciossisum for 'whatever'. That is one I don't have...and I have lots of 'other stuff' you might like. I would like some cuts and some seeds. Thanks.
And I agree that they do have plans for world domination!!!! Thank Goodness for weedwhackers!!!
AlohaHoya
Let me dig into the seed stash, if I've still got them (I'm sure I do) I'll send you some and we can trade after we make sure they are viable
Considering where you live I'm sure you have a 'whatever' that I need.........
LOL
plantnutga
Carol, I have some nice size seedlings if you want one. Am I allowed to mail something to you that has been in mainland soil?
I probably have a few seeds if the plant is not possible.
PLMK.
Kay
OH YES YES YES... plantlings travel really well USPS Priority. Just don't mark on the box that there are plants...and make sure no hitchhikers aboard!!! How special!! Thanks! Send me a Dmail and tell me what you are looking for...and I'll see what I have...gosh, I must have something good?
Carol
Oh, my, I am so excited!!! I finally IDed my new Clerodendrum, it is Clerodendrum incisusm Macrosiphon 'Musical Notes'
It is getting rave reviews, and I can see why! Well behaved (for a C.), beautiful & unusual flower shape, and of course tolerant.
This is the photo I got off the internet, it matches mine perfectly. It's name comes from the way the blossoms unfurl before they open, they look like little musical notes.
You having trouble uploading images too?
yep! DG has been acting weird since lunchtime yesterday. I'll try again....this one is the internet pic
Dang! Still can't load! I'll try later.
I hope it doesn't act up like yesterday when I jump into the Iris frenzy at 1:00 today......You'll be able to hear the screams from where you are!
plantnutga
This message was edited Sep 18, 2006 7:54 AM
I know...its been acting weird all weekend. I nocited my diaries were organized differently over the weekend, and now it's back to the original format. Probably trying to upgrade some things.