Saturday, March 13, 2010

Clereodendron

A variable genus of close to 400 species of trees, shrubs and vines that are native to Africa and Asia.
They prefer full sun to partial shade on fertile, light, well drained soil.
They require abundant water during the growing season.
The species may be grown from seed sown in spring. The cultivars can only be reproduced form half hardened cuttings taken both winter and summer.



Clereodendron buchananii ( Bobang )
Also called Kembang. A moderate growing, erect shrub, reaching up to 13 x 6 feet, that is native to Java.
The large, oval leaves, up to 14 x 11 inches in length, are green.
The purplish-red flowers are borne in panicles, up to 8 inches in length.
They are followed by purplish-blue fruits.
Hardy zones 10 to 12

Clereodendron bungei ( Glory Flower )
An erect, suckering, thicket forming, deciduous to evergreen shrub, that is native from northern India to southern China. Some records include: largest on record - 13 x 13 feet. Very vigorous, suckers may appear as far as 20 feet from the plant.
Grown as a perennial in zones 5 & 6, it can reach up to 6 feet in height each summer.
The large, coarsely-toothed, triangular leaves, up to 12 inches in length, are deep green and tinged purple. In cold climates, it may become deciduous
The strongly fragrant, purplish-red, bell-shaped flowers are borne in domed flower heads, up to 8 inches across, during summer.
They are followed by fruits.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 ( can be grown in zones 5 and 6 as a perennial, with the roots tolerating as low as -20 F ) in full sun on fertile, humus-rich soil.
Prefers a site protected from excessive wind. During early spring remove all frost damaged wood - can be cut back to near ground level.
Ppropagation is from softwood cuttings or seed.

'DJHC'
Originating from elevation of 5000 feet in Sichuan Province in China; it is much hardier than regular Cler. bungei and is also much faster growing - running like Bamboo.

Clereodendron floribundum ( Lolly Bush )
A moderate growing, deciduous tree, typically reaching around 22 feet, that is native to New Guinea and Australia from Western Australia through the Northern Territory then down the east coast to Batemans Bay.
Some records include: largest on record - 100 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot.
The oval leaves, up to 7 x 2.3 inches, are smooth and mid-green.
The fragrant, white, tubular flowers, up to 1.2 inches in length, are backed by pink calyces. They are borne in axilliary spikes.
They are followed by blackish-purple fruits that are backed by a fleshy red calyx.
Hardy zones 10 to 12

Clereodendron fragrans ( Phillipines Clereodendron )
A shrub, reaching up to 10 x 8 feet, that is native to the Phillipines.
Some records include: largest on record - feet.
The tringular leaves, up to 10 inches in length, are green.
The flowers are white or pink.
Hardy zones 10 to 12 ( can be grow in zones 9b on a sheltered site or as a perennial ).

Clereodendron glabrum ( White Cats Whiskers )
A densely branches, small tree, that is native to Africa.
Some records include: 1 st year - 3 feet; largest on record - 40 x 20 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot.
The pointed leaves, up to 5 inches in length, are glossy deep green.
The leaves can be either oppositely arranged or borne in whorls.
The fragrant, white flowers, up to 0.3 inches in length, are borne in dense terminal clusters.
They are followed by profuse, white to yellow fruits.
Hardy zones 9 to 12

Clereodendron kaichianum
A very rare, large shrub, that is native to
Some records include: largest on record - 20 feet
It looks like a shrubby multi-trunked Catalpa, spreading to form large open colonies. A large grove on a hillside is extremely beautiful.
The flowers are white.
Hardy 7a to 9

Clereodendron macrostegium
A bushy shrub, reaching up to 8 feet in height, that is native to the Phillippines.
Some records include: largest on record - 20 feet.
The pointed, ovate leaves, up to 6 inches in length, are mid-green.
The pink flowers are borne in small terminal clusters.
Hardy zones 10 to 12 in partial shade.

Clereodendron minahassee
A fast growing small tree. Some records include: largest on record - 25 x 35 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet.
The leaves, up to 11 x 6.5 inches, are green.
Hardy zones 10 to 12. Moderately drought tolerant but not salt tolerant.

Clereodendron quadriloculare
A large shrub to small tree, reaching a maximum size of 26 x 15 feet with a trunk diameter of 6 inches.
The leaves, up to 14 x 6 inches, are green and yellow above, purple beneath.
The flowers are borne in clusters, up to 12 inches in length.
Hardy zones 10 to 12

* photo taken on Jan 3 2011 @ Deerfield Beach Arboretum, Florida


'Variegatum'

* photo taken on Jan 3 2011 @ Deerfield Beach Arboretum, Florida



Clereodendron speciosissima ( Java Glorybower )
An erect to spreading, evergreen shrub reaching a maximum size of 13 x 13 feet, that is native to Java. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 4 feet.
The large, thick, velvety, wavy-edged, heart-shaped leaves, up to 13 x 12 inches, are mid to deep green.
The profuse, scarlet-red, tubular flowers, up to 1.5 inches in length, are borne in erect terminal panicles, up to 18 inches in length, during summer.
They are followed by deep blue fruits.
Hardy zones 10 to 12 ( will survive as a perennial in zone 9 )

* photos taken @ U.S. Botanical Garden, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014


Clereodendron splendens
An evergreen shrub, up to 12 x 12 feet, or vines, up to 30 feet, that is native to tropical Africa. Spreads rapidly by root suckers.
The oval leaves, up to 7 x 3 inches, are deep green.
The scarlet-red flowers, up to 1 inch, are borne in clusters during summer.
Hardy zones 10 to 12, in partial to full shade.

Clereodendron thompsioniae


* photos taken on Jan 2011 @ Deerfield Beach Arboretum, Florida


Clereodendron tomentosum
A small tree that is native to northern and eastern Australia.
Some records include: largest on record - 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 10 inches.
The prominently-veined, smooth-edged, oval leaves, up to 6 x 2 inches, are deep green above, soft hairy pale green beneath.
The fragrant, white flowers are borne in dense terminal clusters. The flowers attract butterflies and birds.
They are followed by black fruits, up to 0.3 inches, that are backed by red calyces.
The young stems are soft and downy. The scaly trunk is gray to fawn-brown.
Hardy zones 10 to 12, it requires 35+ inches of rainfall per year.

Clereodendron trichotomum ( Harlequin Glory Bower )
A large deciduous shrub, that is native to most of China, Korea and Japan. Some records include: largest on record - 33 x 28 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot. If cut back to the ground - it can reach up to 10 x 10 feet in a single season. It has been proven to have medicinal properties, causing drop in blood pressure in trials, often significantly.
The ovate leaves, up to 10 x 5 inches, are downy deep green. The foliage is late to appear during spring and color well in autumn.
The sweetly fragrant, white flowers ( up to 1 inch long ), that are backed by pink calyces, are borne in clusters during late summer.
They are followed by showy, bright blue berries that are backed by the same calyces that have now turned to red.
The smooth bark is gray.
Hardy 7 to 10 in full sun to partial shade. It will survive as far north as zone 5 as a perennial. Propagation from seed is easy if soaked in water for 24 hours and cold stratified for 3 months before sowing at 0.1 inches deep.

* photos taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA





'Betty Stiles'
A clone with a tree-like form and excellent cold hardiness.

* photos taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD


'Carnival'
Striking foliage is variegated with bold creamy-white margins.
The flowers are pinkish-white.
The tough foliage does not burn in full sun.

Clereodendron ugandense ( Blue Butterfly Bush )
A moderate growing, erect to arching, large evergreen shrub, reaching a maximum height of 15 feet, that is native to tropical Africa. Some records include: largest on record - 15 x 13 feet with a trunk diameter of 6 inches.
The leaves, up to 5 inches in length, are glossy deep green.
The purplish-blue flowers with prominent stamens, are borne in clusters up to 6 inches in length, all summer long.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 ( can be grown as a perennial reaching up to 4 feet in zone 7 or 8 ). Outside the tropics, it is best grown against a sunny south facing wall.

Clereodendron wallichii
An erect shrub, that is native to southeast Asia.
Some records include: largest on record - 13 feet.
The leaves, up to 12 inches in length, are green.
The white flowers, up to 0.7 inches in length, are borne in hanging terminal panicles, up to 18 x 4 inches, during summer.
They are followed by purple-black fruits.
Hardy zones 10 to 12 ( surviving north to zone 7b as a perennial )

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