The MGS Forum
Plants for mediterranean gardens => Climbers => Topic started by: John on September 13, 2011, 09:08:15 AM
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I assume this is Clerodendrum splendens? This is the only time I recall coming across this species which was at the Rothschild Memorial Gardens. It does appear to be something of a climber and seems to be used in this manner even if it is only a lax shrub.
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Yes the name is correct and it is a showy climber, more sutible for arches and fances, less for a pergola, prefers a place protected from strong winds.
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For Mike's pictures of the similarly tender Clerodendrum chinense click here (http://www.mgsforum.org/smf/index.php?topic=533), and for Cali's picture and some more discussion click here (http://www.mgsforum.org/smf/index.php?topic=38.0).
Clerodendrums are mostly tropical or sub-tropical, flowering in summer, and generally like a humid atmosphere, shelter and little or no shade, with mild winters.
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Re Clerodendrum chinense:
I note some advice: "Propagate by semi-woody cuttings in summer."
[http://www.gardensandplants.com/uk/plant.aspx?plant_id=900]
Since Thea (Joynes) asked me to obtain some of this plant for her, I shall try this.
I will keep an eye out for seeds later on, but I have a feeling it may not set any (the double flowers won't help).
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Re Clerodendrum chinense:
The plants are in full flower now - fist-sized masses of double flowers, and big lush leaves - looking rather (sub)tropical, as you pointed out, Alisdair. They are also putting up shoots from below ground; I think from roots rather than stolons, but I can't be sure because of all the leaf litter. Thea, you'll be pleased to know I have some material for you - cuttings, some with a little root (from sub-soil shoots). I shall do my best with them for you. Some I shall start in water; I will post to inform the forum how that goes.
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I just bought a very nice plant of Clerodendrum thomsoniae 'Delectum', on impulse at my local garden centre.
Now I read-up about it, I feel it might have been a mistake.
I see it prefers minimum 10C, shelter, some shade, moist rich organic soil.
However, similar preferences go for other clerodendrums we have discussed on this forum - many of which are grown successfully by members nonetheless.
This particular species is mentioned only by Thea (as a parent of her & John's C. x speciosa.
So - please can anybody who grows C. t. outdoors tell me about their experiences with it?
Thanks in advance,
Mike
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Mike, we have no experience of this particular plant, just its offspring, C. x speciosa. We do have the shrub varieties C. chinense and C. bungei, also a cutting of C. trichotomum var. fargesii that we got from Sue Wake in Pelion at the last AGM in Greece. It seems to have taken and we are waiting anxiously to see if it survives another winter and makes progress next year. These are mostly considered to be sub-tropical but have survived our winters. We are at a lower altitude than you though.
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Thanks John.
I have a little shelter from some of my bigger Cupressus (but those have very aggressive roots), and some shelter from Bougainvilleas (but apart from the root competition, I don't want to have the Clerodendrum clambering up the B. or I'd never be able to prune the B.)
I wonder, if given no support, it would perform as a sprawling groundcover, whence it might shelter itself a little.
More pondering required...
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I realise that this is a little off line but we also have a plant that used to be a Clerodendrum, C. ugandense, when we first encountered it several years ago. It took us a long time to finally acquire one that seems to be establishing slowly and has produced a flower a couple of days ago. In the intervening period it has suffered a name change and is now Rotheca myricoides.
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Thanks John.
The Rotheca myricoides I know, at Latchi, is at about 3m altitude and growing nicely. I hope your one picks up vigour soon.