Clerodendrum wallichii (bridal veil, "Kurarindo")

Japanese name: クラリンドウ
Scientific name: Clerodendrum wallichii

[Overview]
An evergreen shrub to small tree 2–4 m tall.
Young branches have 4 ridges or wings and are hairless.
The branch tips droop slightly.
The leaves are opposite, 11–18 cm long and 2.5–4 cm wide, oblong to oblong-lanceolate, with entire margins and 7–8 pairs of conspicuous lateral veins; the upper surface is glossy.
The leaf stalk is about 1 cm long.
The panicle hangs down from the branch tips, 20–33 cm long, and bears 10–20 flowers sparsely.
The inflorescence axis and flower stalks have 4 ridges or wings and are hairless.
The flowers are white, 3–4 cm across; the corolla is 5-lobed and the stamens project far out.
The calyx is red to reddish purple.
The fruit is a spherical drupe about 1 cm across, ripening to a glossy black.
At the fruiting stage the calyx becomes thick and opens in a star shape.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It can overwinter outdoors in areas without frost, but it drops its leaves when exposed to low temperatures, so it is best kept at 10°C or higher.
It prefers well-drained soil.
From autumn to spring, place it in a sunny spot; it dislikes strong direct sunlight and dryness in summer, so keep it in partial shade.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; keep it on the dry side in winter.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
Pests and diseases include aphids, scale insects and spider mites.

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