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Deciduous Shrubs
Clerodendrum trichotomum
harlequin glorybower
LamiaceaeChina, Japan, and Korea
At a Glance
TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height10-20 feet (3-6 m)
Width10-15 feet (3-4.5 m)
Maturity5 years
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
6 - 9Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy
Key Features
Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Fragrant (moderate)
Maintenancemoderate
Overview
Clerodendrum trichotomum (harlequin glorybower) is a large deciduous shrub or small tree native to East Asia, reaching 10–20 feet (3–6 m) tall and 10–15 feet (3–4.5 m) wide in PNW conditions, with a somewhat coarse, suckering habit. It is grown for two exceptional ornamental features. First, in August through September, it bears star-shaped white flowers 1 inch (2.5 cm) across with five spreading petals, red-purple calyces, and remarkably long projecting stamens and style — fragrant with a sweet, jasmine-like scent. Second, and more spectacularly, the flowers are followed in September through November by brilliant turquoise to metallic-blue berries 0.4 inch (10 mm) in diameter held in persistent star-shaped crimson to pink calyces that split and reflex as the berries ripen — a bicolor berry-and-calyx display unlike any other commonly grown hardy shrub. The two-toned effect of blue fruit against red star calyx is extraordinary and persists into late fall. Leaves are large, ovate, 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) long, with a distinctive unpleasant to some, peanut-butter-like scent when crushed — the source of the common name 'Peanut Butter Tree.' Critical limitation: Clerodendrum trichotomum spreads aggressively from root suckers and can form extensive colonies if not managed. In favorable PNW conditions, suckers can emerge many feet from the parent plant through lawn and garden beds. This suckering behavior must be factored into siting decisions — the plant is not appropriate for small, confined gardens without consistent sucker removal. Great Plant Picks endorsed.
Native Range
Native to East Asia — China, Japan, and Korea — in open woodlands, forest margins, and disturbed habitats. Widely planted as an ornamental in temperate regions.Suggested Uses
Grown as a large specimen shrub or small multi-stemmed tree for exceptional late-summer flowers and unparalleled fall berry display. The turquoise berry and crimson calyx combination in October and November is a genuine garden conversation piece with no close rivals in hardiness. Best sited in large gardens, informal woodland edges, or isolated positions where suckering can be managed or tolerated. Great Plant Picks endorsed for PNW gardens. Not recommended for small, confined, or formal gardens due to aggressive suckering. The fragrant late-summer flowers attract pollinators during a period when few other large shrubs are blooming.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 20'
Width/Spread10' - 15'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Colors
Flower Colors
white
red
purple
Foliage Colors
green
Fall Foliage Colors
yellow
Bloom Information
Bloom Period
~5 weeksJ
F
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SummerFall
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white with red-purple calycesFoliage Description
medium green in summer; variable yellow in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Full Sun
Partial Shade
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
Soil Requirements
pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Medium
Frost Tolerance
hardy
Time to Maturity
4-6 years
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun to part shade in well-drained to average soil. Tolerates a range of soil types; avoid waterlogged conditions. Establishes readily and grows vigorously in PNW conditions. The most important management requirement is consistent removal of root suckers, which emerge from wide-spreading underground runners — inspect the perimeter of the planting annually and remove suckers at their point of origin. Without sucker control, the plant spreads into lawns, garden beds, and neighboring plantings. In confined or mixed borders, sucker management is labor-intensive; this plant is better suited to large, informal gardens or isolated positions where spreading can be tolerated or controlled more easily. Hard pruning in late winter (February through March) controls height and encourages more vigorous flowering stems.Pruning
Prune in late winter (February through March) to control size and remove dead or damaged wood — the plant flowers on current season's growth. Hard pruning to 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) from the ground can be done every few years to keep the plant at a manageable size and encourage vigorous new growth with maximum flowers and fruit. Remove root suckers throughout the growing season by tracing them back to their origin and cutting at the point of attachment — do not simply cut them at ground level, which stimulates more sucker production.Pruning Schedule
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early spring