Harlequin glorybower
Clerodendrum trichotomum · Lamiaceae
📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5
⚠️ Baies toxiques pour chiens/chats par ingestion ; enfants à risque ; troubles gastro-intestinaux.
The gardener's calendar
Harlequin glorybower is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, highly fragrant
- Flowering
- August to October, white and pink flowers
- Mature size
- 2.5 to 3 m in height
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Temperate zones (tolerates short frosts)
- Origin
- China, Japan
- Sensitivity
- Toxic to animals (if ingested)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fertile
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Cut back to a low bush for the first 2 years to build density (summer pruning). Let the shrub grow freely after that.
The common mistake
Planting too early in damp autumn causes root rot.
The pro's trick
Take softwood cuttings in July-August, they root easily.
Seasonal watch
September-October: very attractive to whiteflies in greenhouses or closed shelters.
Care
Sunlight
Place the tree in full sun for generous flowering and vigorous development. It tolerates partial shade but blooms less abundantly. Protect it from strong winds that could damage its branches.
Watering
Water regularly during growth and flowering, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter. During prolonged dry periods, increase the frequency to prevent water stress.
Pruning and trimming
Prune lightly after flowering (November-December) to maintain a balanced shape and encourage branching. Remove dead wood and conflicting branches. Moderate pruning is sufficient; the plant regrows vigorously.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring when growth resumes. During flowering (summer-autumn), monthly applications stimulate flower production. Limit nitrogen applications, which would favor foliage at the expense of flowers.
Soil and drainage
Prefer fertile, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. Improve compact soil by adding mature compost or potting soil. Good drainage prevents root asphyxia and fungal diseases.
Diseases and pests
Watch for scale insects and spider mites in hot conditions. Powdery mildew can appear in humid and confined atmospheres. Ensure good air circulation around the crown, avoid foliage watering, and intervene quickly with biological treatments if infestation occurs.
Did you know?
The tree owes its curious name to its intensely blue berries, which are highly prized by birds in late summer. In Asia, particularly in Japan, it has been cultivated for centuries for its ornamental qualities and intensely fragrant leaves that release a pleasant spicy aroma when crushed. Its symbolism of redemption and purification inspired its use in monastic gardens and temples.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.