Rotheca - Search results

Botanical names: Clerodendrum mastacanthum, Rotheca mastacantha, Rotheca mastacanthus, Rotheca macrodonta

Common name: Pink Butterfly Bush

Family: Lamiaceae    (Formerly:Verbenaceae)

Origin: Africa

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A new plant in cultivation originated from South Africa. It is very similar to more common species Clerodendrum ugandense (Blue Butterfly Bush) other than color and smaller size of the flowers which are in tighter panicles.

It grows into a vigorous large size bush with multiple stems. Unlike most clerodendrums, it is very difficult to propagate and cuttings don't root very easily. Small plants grow very slowly but even at 1 ft tall they start flowering. Once etablished, the bush grows fast, producing many branches.

Cultivation is pretty simple and the plant needs only average maintenance - regular water and well drained soil. It needs full sun for flowering. Pink Butterfly Bush is more cold sensitive than Blue Butterfly Bush (C. ugandense). However even after a cold snap and leaf damage, plants regrow well from the main stems.

Originally we have obtained this plant in 2014 from a rare plant collector, and have been propagating it since. It came to us under name of Rotheca mastacantha. The name Rotheca is often used for plants in Clerodendrum genus.

Botanical names: Rotheca hirsuta, Clerodendrum hirsutum, Clerodendrum natalense

Common name: Cat's Whiskers

Family: Lamiaceae    (Formerly:Verbenaceae)

Origin: South Africa

Botanical names: Rotheca microphylla, Clerodendrum incisum, Clerodendrum macrosiphon, Rotheca incisa, Rotheca incisafolia

Common names: Musical Note, Morning Kiss, Clerodendron, Witches Tongue

Family: Lamiaceae    (Formerly:Verbenaceae)

Hardiness: 30°F

Rotheca microphylla (Musical Note) is a small, bushy shrub with oval-shaped, glossy leaves that grow two to five feet tall. Clusters of off-white and white bell-shaped flowers with red stamens appear in large masses throughout the year. The unopened flowers resemble musical notes, giving the plant its name. This low-maintenance plant is perfect for gardens as it blooms well in both full sun and shade, and tolerates some drought. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a great choice for people who want to encourage wildlife in their gardens.

This shrub is easy to maintain and grows best in USDA Zones 9-11, where it prefers regular water and moderate water. When growing Rotheca microphylla (Musical Note) in containers, it's important to make sure the soil drains well and doesn't get too soggy after watering. Additionally, if planting in cold climates, it's essential to bring the potted plant indoors or cover with a protective layer during winter. With minimal effort, this small shrub with white flowers will be a beautiful addition to any landscape.

Botanical names: Rotheca myricoides, Clerodendrum ugandense

Common names: Butterfly Clerodendrum, Blue Butterfly Bush, Blue Glory Bower, Blue Wings

Family: Lamiaceae    (Formerly:Verbenaceae)

Origin: Tropical Africa, Kenya and Uganda

Specimen plant. Sky blue flowers looking like butterflies - unusual color for tropics. Clerodendrum ugandense has been cultivated in botanical gardens for almost 100 years, but has only recently been considered as flowering potplant. It is a fast growing plant which in nature grows to 6-9 ft, but is easily kept much smaller. The irregular flowers are bright blue, in two different shades of blue and are produced more or less continuously throughout the summer and fall. Flowers have long purple anthers which bend elegantly upwards.

Grow this clerodendrum in partial shade. Water freely in growth but reduce watering in winter. Hardiness: USDA Zones 10 - 11. Performs best in a frostfree climate, but it is root hardy in zones 8 and 9, freezing to the ground in winter, but returning from its roots in spring.

Prune back as needed to keep it in bushy shape. Cut back the old wood to a pair of buds to improve flowering. In areas that get frost, you can get the most consistent flowering by growing it in a large pot that can be brought indoors when temperatures approach freezing.

It has an odd scent when the leaves are brushed which may serve to repel chewing insects because it is pest free.