Clerodendrum inerme (Wild Jasmine)

Clerodendrum inerme is a hardy shrub that can thrive in a variety of environments. In milder winters, they can be planted in the garden with no protection. However, for areas with harsher winters, it is recommended to plant the shrub in a pot and bring it indoors when temperatures drop below freezing.

When caring for clerodendrums, it is important to water the plant regularly, but only when the soil is dry. In spring and summer, fertilize the plant with a general purpose fertilizer and apply mulch to conserve moisture. This shrub is native to Tropical Asia. It is also an evergreen mangrove plant that can thrive near the ocean at the high tide mark, making it a potential weed in the coastal environment.

Clerodendrum inerme is a sun-loving plant that reaches a height of 10-15 ft with closely arranged, almost round, shiny, deep green leaves. The plant is always in flower, with white and fragrant flowers that have spreading five corolla lobes and long purple stamens. The stems of this plant are smooth and do not have thorns, hence the specific name inerme, which means thornless.

This plant is versatile and can be grown as a topiary or bonsai. It is also salt-, heat-, and wind-tolerant, making it well-suited for growth along the beach where it can tolerate the salt spray of the ocean and the harsh rays of the sun. It can be grown as a hedge, but a large number of well-developed plants are needed. Trimming the plant keeps the hedge in shape, but also robs the plant of its flowers as they are produced at the ends of branches.