Glory Flower, Rose glorybower, Cashmere Bouquet, Mexican Hydrangea, Glory Bower
Clerodendrum bungei

Family: Verbenaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early fall. Form: Upright or erect.

Clerodendrum bungei is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 2

Where it is found

Waste places, hillsides and damp shady roadsides to 2300 metres. Mixed forests on mountain slopes and along the sides of roads, below 2500 metres.

E. Asia - China to N. India.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, India, North America, USA, Mexico, India, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

A decoction of the leaves is applied externally as an anodyne, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, carminative.

Anodyne: Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Antiinflammatory: Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.

Carminative: Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.

Other

Rating: 0

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Arbor, Container, Specimen. Succeeds in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil but prefers a fertile humus-rich well-drained soil. The soil must not be allowed to dry out in the growing season. Requires a position sheltered from cold drying winds. Plants are hardy to about -10°c, they can be cut to the ground in severe winters but usually resprout from the base, especially if they have been well mulched, they will then flower in late summer. Plants succeed in an open position at Wisley in Surrey. Spreads rapidly by suckers. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth. They have a delicious scent. The leaves are foetid when crushed. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Fragrant flowers.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as possible in a greenhouse. Germination can be erratic but usually takes place within 20 - 60 days at 20°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Root cuttings, 6 - 8cm long, December in a greenhouse. High percentage. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Very easy, they can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 7-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

This plant can be weedy or invasive- rose glorybower, strong-scented glorybower. Reproduces by both seeds and root suckers, which allow it to spread quickly and widely and form colonies, and is dispersed by humans and birds. Included in the European invasive plants database and the Global Compendium of Weeds.

Its other names

Local names

Rose glorybower, cashmere bouquet; glory bower; glory flower; Mexican hydrangea. Chinese: chou mu dan; xiu mu dan. Germany: herrlicher Losstrauch. Japan: beni-bana-kusagi.

Synonyms

Clerodendrum yatschuense H.J.P.Winkl. Pavetta esquirolii H.Lév. Volkameria bungei (Steud.) L