Clerodendrum × speciosum
red bleeding heart vine
Cultivated hybrid; parent species native to tropical West Africa
Overview
Clerodendrum x speciosum is an evergreen twining vine of hybrid origin between C. splendens and C. thomsoniae, grown in tropical and subtropical gardens. Stems twine and scramble to 8–15 feet (2.4–4.5 m) where given support, carrying opposite, broadly oval leaves 3–7 inches (8–18 cm) long with a leathery texture and a slightly quilted surface. Flowers appear in branched clusters at the stem tips and leaf axils, each bloom set in a swollen, five-angled calyx that ages from pink to rose-magenta. The tubular corolla opens deep red, and long stamens arch well beyond the petals, giving the cluster a layered pink-and-red effect that holds for several weeks. In frost-free climates the vine flowers in repeated flushes through much of the year, heaviest from spring into autumn. It needs warmth, steady moisture, and shelter from wind, and is intolerant of frost, dying back below about 32°F (0°C) and surviving outdoors only in USDA zones 10–11. Grown in containers elsewhere, it can be wintered indoors. Without support the stems sprawl into a loose, untidy mound.
Native Range
The vine is a cultivated hybrid with no wild range of its own. Its parent species are native to tropical West Africa, the source of the warmth and moisture the hybrid requires.Suggested Uses
Trained on trellises, arches, and pergolas in tropical and subtropical gardens, or grown as a container climber moved indoors in cold climates. Also kept as a glasshouse or conservatory vine where winters are cold.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8' - 15'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Bloom Information
In frost-free climates the vine flowers in repeated flushes through much of the year, heaviest from spring into autumn. Each cluster holds colour for several weeks as the pink calyces persist after the red corollas drop. Flowering slows during cool or dry periods.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pink to rose-magenta calyx with deep red corollaFoliage Description
Dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in part shade to full sun on rich, well-drained soil kept evenly moist through the growing season. Needs warmth above 55°F (13°C) for active growth and drops leaves or stops growing in cold spells. The twining stems climb a trellis, fence, or other support. Monthly feeding through spring and summer supports steady flowering, and water is reduced in winter where plants rest. In USDA zones 10–11 it grows outdoors year-round, while in colder areas it is kept in a container and moved under cover before frost. Spider mites and whitefly are the main pests under glass.Pruning
Stems are thinned and shortened after a flowering flush to control size and shape. Hard pruning in late winter renews an overgrown vine before the spring flush. Flowers form on new growth, so pruning does not reduce the following bloom.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winterearly spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons