Harlequin Glorybower Care
Clerodendrum trichotomum
A deciduous shrub known for its fragrant white flowers that open in late summer and, in autumn, its metallic blue fruit on a bright red background that replaces those flowers. Its root suckers are more manageable; for best performance it needs regular summer watering.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient.
- Pruning: Not needed. The end of the month is the best time for the main pruning.
- General care: The red and blue fruits remaining on the branches in winter provide a decorative display.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -15 °C.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is sufficient.
- Pruning: Late month, before new growth starts, is the time for the main pruning. To maintain a shrub form, cut back the branches by one-third, or if it is trained as a tree, only shape it.
- General care: Clear away pruning debris. Pull out any occasional root suckers.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -15 °C.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist; if there is no rain, water every 15 days (30 L/m²).
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
- Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering.
- Plant protection: Check the newly emerging shoots for aphids.
- General care: New shoots emerge quickly. Keep removing unwanted root suckers.
- Pests & diseases: Watch out for aphids.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- Plant protection: If needed, use neem oil or a suitable insecticide against aphids.
- General care: Growth is very fast. Mulching helps keep soil moisture.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Fertilizing: Optionally, a potassium-heavy liquid fertilizer can be given once at the start of the month to encourage flowering.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Plant protection: In hot and dry weather, check the undersides of the leaves for whiteflies and spider mites.
- General care: The plant is preparing to flower, and buds are forming.
- Pests & diseases: Be vigilant for whiteflies and red spider mites.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Plant protection: Continue monitoring for whiteflies and red spider mites.
- General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Pruning: Not needed. You can cut the flowers for a vase.
- General care: Flowering peaks.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Pruning: Not needed; enjoy the flowers and fruit.
- General care: The most spectacular time of the year. The faded flowers are replaced by bright red calyces with metallic blue fruits inside. A good time for planting new seedlings.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- General care: The red-blue fruits reach their most striking stage and are very decorative.
- Watering: Not required; autumn precipitation is sufficient.
- General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
- Pests & diseases: Clearing fallen leaves prevents fungal diseases from carrying over to next year.
- General care: The plant is in full dormancy. The fruits can remain on the branches through the winter.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -15 °C.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.
Browse all plant guides