When the rest of the college is looking like this…..
And this……..
There is one particular shrub that is not alway’s commonly known, that is looking rather spectacular ….. Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii (Harlequin Glorybower).
A true gem of the garden, that is perfect in every way especially at this time of year.
I was originally going to use this as a ‘Wordless Wednesday’ but then thought, this deserved a few words to go with it …. even in my very strange and incoherent way.
I’m not one for doing a plant of the month thing (not yet anyway) but this for me is the plant of the season. This time of year I could of gone for one with spectacular autumn foliage, that one would have been too easy, as there are literally hundreds to choose from.
Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii is from western China, a deciduous shrub or small tree (eventual height and spread 5-6 metres), that is spectacular from late summer when its heads of pink buds open into scented white flowers. These later develop into bright blue berries, surrounded by a maroon star-shaped calyces.
It grows well in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun and in partial shade; we have two on site and the one in partial shade is the better of the two.
This shrub certainly ticks all the boxes for me, I could this time of year, just sit and gaze at it all day …. now that’s one way of getting out of doing some of the leafing 😉
thetattooedgardener 
Nov 09, 2012 @ 15:21:20
I grew this in one garden for years. With me it always looked a bit peaky and whether that was the lime in the soil or its location in full sun t I dont know but as you say it was great for late interest and general quirkiness with its unusual flowers. That plant never suckered. I have recently planted another in a more acid soil and it has sent up suckers all around , much like I would have expected C. bungeii to do. I have pulled out the suckers and crossed my fingers that this is just a youthful flushing thing but I suspect not.
Best wishes
Paul Williams. .
Nov 10, 2012 @ 15:31:24
The one pictured in the post is in a more woodland type area. The other one we have which is not as good as specimen, is in a south facing border and the soil is not as acidic. So with yours, I would have thought it was the combination of both factors why it has not done so well. As for C bungeii- great plant.
Oct 04, 2014 @ 21:15:03
Reblogged this on thetattooedgardener and commented:
One from autumn 2012
Oct 04, 2014 @ 21:31:30
I love this tree, its fragrance pervades the garden in late summer.And those berries are just gorgeous.
Oct 05, 2014 @ 20:39:51
It certainly is a little cracker – a perfect addition to any garden 🙂