Pagoda Flower

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Location

Bamboo Garden

​​​​​​Pagoda Flower

​Clerodendrum paniculatum L.

• Common Name: Pagoda Flower (Other common names: Glorybower, Bagflower).
  
• Scientific Name: Clerodendrum paniculatum L.
  
• Family Name: Lamiaceae
  
• Origin: India - Southeast Asia
  
• Height: 3’ – 5’ (6’ or taller in native rainforests)
  
• Width: 8’ – 10’
  
• Growth: Slow
  
• Zone: 8 – 11 (It will die back in freezing conditions in the winter if not protected but it will re-sprout in the spring. In warmer climates it grows almost year-round.
  
• Light Needs: Full sun – partial shade but prefers filtered light or morning sun.
  
• Salt Tolerance:  Slight-low.
  
• Soil/PH/Texture: Prefers fertile, moist, but well-drained soil, slightly acidic – slightly alkaline (pH 6.1 – 7.8).
  
• Soil Moisture: Somewhat moist, average water needs, water regularly but do not overwater.
  
• Drought Tolerance: It is moderately tolerant to drought once established and is humidity tolerant.
  
• Pests/Diseases: Can get infestations from spider mites, aphids (plant lice), and whiteflies, especially if it is grown indoors or in dry regions.
  
• Growing Conditions: It likes to spread by suckers or runners, although it does not seem to be invasive or overly aggressive.
  
• Characteristics: The leaves of this plant are velvety, heart-shaped and quite large being 6”– 12” long, it’s panicles are shaped like the Chinese pagoda or kind of like a pyramid, with numerous small orange – red flowers that bloom almost year-round in Florida. Each tubular flower is about ½” - 1” long and contains five small lobes that are slightly paler than the tube.
  
• Propagation: By root or hardwood stem cuttings, or suckers from the base of the plant can be removed and planted in spring or fall.
  
• Wildlife: Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and moths. Swallowtail butterflies love this plant.
  
• Facts: In 1767, the 'father' of modern biological nomenclature - the Swedish botanist, Carl Linnaeus first described the Clerodendrum paniculatum. It is popular as an ornamental in the Asian tropics because it is known there for medical uses. In Malaysia, an infusion is made and is drunk as a purgative and then is applied externally to distended stomachs.
  
• Designer Considerations: Grown for its beautiful inflorescence, it is used as a specimen plant, accent plant, barriers, backdrop for gardens and can be a container plant as well.​​