Clerodendrum Bungei ("Cashmere Bouquet") is a plant that is hated by many. It is invasive and thuggish if given the right conditions. Little suckers will come up all over about a 10 foot radius around the original plant and it can rapidly form a grove. This is just the trait that I want in a back corner of my yard where nothing but weeds prevail. There are just times when invasive is what you want!
Here is a succession of pictures taken over several days of my Cashmere Bouquet.
The buds form a deep red cluster
The first blooms burst forth giving off the distinctive Fruit Loop smell that I love.
Some of the clusters have reached full bloom.
The whole plant in full bloom. Incidentally, butterflies and bees like this plant right well.
2 comments:
I went out in 100 degree heat and better than 50% humidity, to see if I could find any C. bungeii. One tiny plant was all I could find. I'm not sure whether the plants I used to have succumbed to nematodes or drought. I didn't love them enough to start over, but they were beloved by butterflies.
I think they smell like Cashmere Bouquet Soap -- don't know if they still make that.
The butterflies will make do with pentas and blue porterweed which are really getting going in this heat. I saw a Tiger (swallowtail) while I was out there.
I love my Cashmere Bouquet, and I don't find it that invasive. The fragrance of the flowers reminds me of my grandmother who used the Cashmere Bouquet bath powder when I was a child.
Jan
Always Growing
Post a Comment