Harlequin glorybower (Clerodendrum trichotomum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Harlequin glorybower on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 4 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Harlequin glorybower
Clerodendrum trichotomum, commonly known as Harlequin Glorybower, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to East Asia, renowned for its fragrant, star-shaped white flowers with persistent pink or reddish calyces that remain after blooming. These attractive structures, along with its metallic blue berries, make it ideal as a focal point in temperate gardens or as an ornamental shrub in borders and beds.
Native range
East Asia
Care tips
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging. Protect young plants from severe frost, as they can be somewhat sensitive to extreme cold. A common mistake is neglecting to prune it to maintain its shape and encourage abundant flowering.
How to save a dying Harlequin glorybower
- Warning signs
- Wilting or yellowing leaves, premature leaf drop, lack of flowering.
- First aid
- Check watering (moist but not waterlogged soil), place in partial shade if intense sun.
- What kills it
- Prolonged drought or constant waterlogging. Does not tolerate extreme cold or frost.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not rotted. Prune dry branches and manage watering.