Clerodendrum Ugandense

Easily one of the favourite plants that I have!

I bought this plant in August 2009 in the bargain bin at a local garden centre. I almost passed it over, as I only saw it out of the corner of my eye and dismissed it because I thought that someone had stuck naff plastic butterflies on it. So happy that I took a proper look at it now. Clerodendrums can grow very quickly - standing no more than 15 cm when I bought it, the plant stood at about 30cm in April. It was put outdoors at the beginning of May and despite infrequent feeds it has now grown to just over a metre in height. It has however had plenty of water - a must for good growth in a Clerodendrum.

But by far the best thing about it is the fact that it's a prodigious bloomer! Indeed, since coming back into the conservatory it's putting out another large flush of flowers.

If I have one gripe about it, it's the fact that I struggle to get seeds off of it. Despite the vast number of flowers that it's produced, I've only ever harvested six seeds from it (and I lost those). I love to buy plants, but I also like to be able to grow them, even if I just give them away once I've done it!