Clerodendrum smithianum (Light Bulb Plant, Chains of Glory)
Botanical Information
Family | Lamiaceae |
Genus | Clerodendrum |
Species | smithianum |
Category | Tropicals, Woody |
Type | Shrub (evergreen) |
Origin | Native to Thailand. |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 10-11 |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cool season protection under glass. |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Zone | H1c-H3 |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Temperature (°C) | -1.1-10 |
Temperature (°F) | 30-50 |
Height | 1 m |
Growth | Fast |
Flowering Period | January, February, March |
Description and Growing Information
ID Characteristic | The common name comes from the 'light bulb' shape of the flower before full bloom. |
Landscape | Hanging basket or container. |
Propagation | Propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings. |
Cultivation | Full sun to filtered sun and well drained but moist, rich organic mix. Light Bulb Plants will not tolerate wet, mucky or dry, sandy soils. |
Notable Specimens | Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America. |
Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Buds are dark purple-red and once the flower emerges the white petals are shaped like a light bulb prior to full bloom. |
Leaf Description | Dark green, oblong and 12-15 cm long with a rough texture. |
Flower Description | 5-petaled white flowers that are very fragrant. They grow 20-45 cm across and are pendulous flowers. |
Fruit Description | The round fruit are black when ripe and 1 cm in diameter. |
Photographs
![Clerodendrum smithianum, form. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America. Clerodendrum smithianum, form. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.](photos/Clerodendrum-smithianum-hpl-frm.jpg)
Clerodendrum smithianum, form. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
![Clerodendrum smithianum, leaf. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America. Clerodendrum smithianum, leaf. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.](photos/Clerodendrum-smithianum-hpl-lf.jpg)
Clerodendrum smithianum, leaf. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
![Clerodendrum smithianum, flower. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America. Clerodendrum smithianum, flower. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.](photos/Clerodendrum-smithianum-hpl-flw.jpg)
Clerodendrum smithianum, flower. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
![Clerodendrum smithianum, flower. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America. Clerodendrum smithianum, flower. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.](photos/Clerodendrum-smithianum-hpl-flw-2.jpg)
Clerodendrum smithianum, flower. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.