Clerodendrum bungei

The Clerodendrum bungei, also called Bunge's Clerodendrum, is a type of shrub that can grow well in different types of soil. It produces beautiful pink flowers that bloom in late summer and attract butterflies, but it is not often seen in gardens despite its beauty and pleasant fragrance. The plant resembles hydrangeas but is related to verbena. It forms a tall clump of vertical, woody stems at the base and produces suckers. In September, it bears rounded panicles of tiny pink flowers that give off a pleasant aroma, followed by pretty dark blue berries. This plant requires little maintenance and is ideal for naturalistic-inspired flower beds and hedges.

The Clerodendrum bungei belongs to the Verbenaceae family and is native to subtropical regions of China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Himalayas. Despite this, it is hardy and can regrow from the base after short freezes of around -15°C (5°F), although the first frosts can destroy the above-ground parts. This bush is also known as Foetid Clerodendrum (Clerodendrum foetidum) due to the unpleasant odour emitted by its foliage when crushed. 

The plant typically has a rounded shape, is not very dense, and grows quickly. It can reach a height of 1.80m (5 ft 11 in) to 2m (6 ft 7 in) if not pruned by the cold, 1m (3 ft 4 in) otherwise, and spreads through the formation of suckers sometimes emerging 1m (3 ft 4 in) from the base. It requires space and control of its growth by removing stray suckers. 

The plant's late flowering enchants the sight and the sense of smell. Its raspberry-coloured ball-shaped flower heads gradually open into tiny star-shaped flowers of a pure and vivid pink, endowed with a powerful floral scent that attracts numerous pollinating insects. Decorative black-blue berries follow these in autumn. The deciduous foliage is dark green and shiny in summer, with the young shoots often coloured purple. The leaves, generally heart-shaped with coarsely serrated margins, are entire and opposite, measuring 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in) wide.

 
Bunge's Clerodendrum is a magnificent shrub used as a background plant in flower beds or as a free-standing hedge. The shrub's enchanting late flowering coincides with the blooming of recurrent roses, autumn asters, tall variegated grasses, and shrubby salvias. It can thrive in various regions and soil types if it is deep and heat-resistant. However, it is sensitive to freezing climates during winter. 

For best results, it can be planted alongside Neilia affinis, spring spiraeas (arguta, Van houttei, prunifolia), summer spiraeas (S.japonica Anthony Waterer), guelder roses, mock oranges, buddleias, and landscape roses to stagger flowering and play with autumn colours in a hedge or a large bed of easy-to-grow shrubs. The shrub is also suitable for container cultivation, allowing control of its vigour.

In colder regions, it is advisable to cover its stump with a thick protective mulch to protect it from the harsh winter climate.