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| SKYROCKET CLERODENDRUM NOT SEEN OFTEN | |
| Published: October 11, 1997 | |
Larger than other family members, this one tops 15 feetQ:I have an unusual plant that has been identified as Clerodendrum indicum. The common name is skyrocket clerodendrum. Its blooming now, so I thought you might like to see it.A:Thanks to Zoe Lynch of Orchid Gardens Nursery for giving me an opportunity to see this unusual member of a family of beauties. Most gardeners are familiar with bleeding heart vines (C. thomsoniae) and (C. speciosum); giant salvia or Java plant (C. speciosissimum); and the cashmere bouquets, both (C. fragrans) and (C. bungei). But skyrocket is new to me. This old garden plant, which is reported to have naturalized in areas of New Orleans, is also known as tubeflower or turks turban.The evergreen plant, which normally grows to about 8 feet, produces spidery white flowers followed by beautiful purplish fruits on red calyces in late summer and fall. It prefers full sun but will tolerates partial shade. Like C. bungei, skyrocket is reported to be somewhat invasive. It is propagated by seed. Landscaping with tropicalsQ:I have recently moved into Lafayette and am attempting to landscape my backyard with tropical and semi-tropical plants. I currently have oleanders, hibiscus and banana trees. Could you provide information on the following: local nurseries that carry tropicals, good choices for the area, information on fertilizing and other maintenance, and information on a local source of Siam tulips.A:You will have a marvelous time growing tropicals, as do most of us in this area. To answer your questions, virtually every plant nursery and garden center in Acadiana sells tropicals. Two, however, that specialize in growing or providing tropicals for landscaping, are Paradise Plantscapes in Lafayette and Stokes Tropicals, a mail order company which retails through Rip Van Winkle Gardens on Jefferson Island.Besides those you already have, some of my favorite tropicals for background planting are cleyera, loquat, fatsia, and the gingers. Other smaller shrubs for foreground or accent planting are aucuba, mahonia, sago palm, copperleaf, plumbago and ixora. Good plants for containers include croton, plumeria, bird-of-paradise, and mandevilla. I could go on and on but havent the space. The primary concern in maintenance is whether the plants are hardy or not. Those that are not will have to be protected from freezing temperatures. For those of us without greenhouses or other solutions, Paradise Plantscapes offers winter boarding for tender tropicals. Plant hardiness must be considered when landscaping with tropicals. It is recommended that the most tender perennial tropicals such as bananas and gingers be planted behind hardy material, so that when they freeze in winter they can be trimmed back below the line of vision. Space can be allowed in front of the hardy plants for seasonal plantings. Most tropicals used in landscaping arent finicky feeders. A balanced fertilizer such as 8-8-8 in March, June and early September should be sufficient. Girouards Nursery in Broussard keeps a supply of Siam tulips. They are always available through Stokes Tropicals, either from the catalog or on Jefferson Island. For the catalog, call 1-800-624-9706. |