Thursday, 4 December 2014

FFF159 - BUTTERFLY BUSH

Butterfly Bush, or to give it its proper name, Clerodendrum myricoides 'Ugandense', is a spectacular plant, especially when the butterfly-shaped flowers cover it. Native to tropical Africa, Butterfly Bush is a sprawling evergreen shrub with a weak upright habit. It grows to 2m to 3 m tall in its native habitat.

From Spring through Autumn the delicate and intricate flowers appear, suggestive of a butterfly in flight. Black, fleshy fruit follows the blooms. It should be planted in part to full (coastal) sun and irrigated regularly. It is hardy to about -7˚C. It can be pruned back continually to keep the plant more compact.

This species from East Africa (originally described from Kenya and not Uganda) will take rather cooler conditions than most tropical clerodendrums. No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for aphids and whitefly.

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16 comments:

  1. Seraphinas Phantasie4 December 2014 at 05:47

    Hi Nick,
    I love all these purple flowers. So beautiful !
    Best regards, Synnöve

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  2. Ileana4 December 2014 at 07:02

    Beautiful !

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  3. Mascha4 December 2014 at 09:20

    Very pretty ,I like the blue. I've never seen before, in Germany is to cold...

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  4. Anonymous4 December 2014 at 09:53

    So beautiful!!

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  5. Birgitta4 December 2014 at 11:35

    Oh...these flowers are so beautiful!

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  6. ulla laiho4 December 2014 at 12:29

    The flowers really look like butterflies - very beautiful.

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  7. Anonymous4 December 2014 at 15:05

    What an apt name! lovely as well as cheerful:)

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  8. Jocee4 December 2014 at 16:29

    A gorgeous looking flower, the bush must look amazing at its full height.

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  9. Sara Chapman4 December 2014 at 21:55

    Yet another new flower for me, and as always, beautifully photographed.

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  10. joanna uk5 December 2014 at 00:10

    You seem to have endless resources for your photography.
    I am hard put to find anything worthwhile florally at present.
    Today's plant is so entrancing. Minus 7 degrees tolerance would make it a possibility here, but I doubt if I will ever see it for sale.

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  11. Anonymous5 December 2014 at 06:27

    I love these little blue blossoms ♥
    Wish you a nice weekend
    moni

    Thanks if you visit my blog
    http://www.reflexionblog.de

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  12. cedarmerefarm5 December 2014 at 07:54

    What a spectacular plant! I love the shape AND the color. Unfortunately for me, Virginia is too cold for this plant :(

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  13. Vilt og vakkert6 December 2014 at 04:03

    Heisann!

    This is the most beautiful butterfly bush I have ever seen! Happy weekend!

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  14. Ingmarie We6 December 2014 at 08:45

    Fantastic. Such a lovely bush!

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  15. EricaSta7 December 2014 at 02:03

    Dear Nick, thank you for always nice comments on my Blogside. Thank you too for Hosting this theme: Floral beauties each Friday. Your Bloom looks so lovely! We don't know a Butterfly Bush here in Germany. I wish to see this and other things in Australia ..... And maybe, my husband and myself Travel in this fantastic continent with a Goldwing ;) That is a Dream ....

    ... Wish you a good Advent, Cheers Heidrun

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  16. RobertN8 December 2014 at 01:33

    Beautiful photo.

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