Mystery Shrub/small tree

14 years ago

Hello

I'm hoping someone can identify this plant, spotted in the external landscaping of a Retail Park in central England. It gets pruned at least annually (which seems to involve wafting an electric hedge-trimmer over it). Underplanting is Berengaria, I think.

It's a small tree or shrub (currently about 1.5m high), leaves are smooth, same colour above and beneath, clear veining. I'm not sure if it's evergreen or deciduous, to be honest I've never paid much attention to it until the smell of the flowers wafted past!

Stems on the new growth aren't particularly woody, the leaves are in pairs opposite one another along the stems. The main branches are quite gnarled (probably due to the "pruning" method), with a smooth greyish bark.

The 5-petalled flowers are cream, with a distinctive red bladder-type calyx, rather like that of a campion.

I haven't noticed any fruit on it.

The leaves seem to have a "meaty" smell when crushed! They don't seem to contain an irritant. The flowers have a strong, very sweet smell, rather like a gardenia.

And if I can succeed in getting the main picture uploaded, I'll attempt to post a picture of the flower as well.

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Comments (6)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
14 years ago
Clerodendrum trichotomum, aka Harlequin Glorybower (or peanut butter and jelly tree - leaves smell like peanut butter and flowers a bit like strawberry jam).
AliCx
Original Author
14 years ago
A close-up of the leaf and flower.
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AliCx
Original Author
14 years ago
Wow! Thank you for such a prompt response, gardengal48! And what a truly marvellous name... I'm now grinning and it's worrying the kittens!
AliCx
Original Author
14 years ago
Whoops, sorry gardengal48, I just realised that sounded a bit personal! It was the name of the PLANT that made me smile.

The kittens have recovered from my chuckling episode. I'm now going to check the details of the plant, and see if I can source one over here.

And you're right, the leaves do smell like peanut butter. My husband isn't convinced the flowers smell like jam, but he still thinks it would be a nice fragrance to add to the garden.
flora_uk
14 years ago
AliCx - they are pretty easy to get here, particularly in the South. I have seen quite a few today in suburban front gardens on a trip to the Portsmouth area. There is a lovely old one in a local square near my home too. I bet now you've got an id you'll see them all over the place. The ones in your photo have, as you surmise, been really badly pruned. It's actually an elegant small tree. BTW the plants below it are Bergenia. If you Google you'll find lots of sources. The fruits are cool too.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
14 years ago
If you see one growing close by, go up and knock on the door and ask for a start :-) These produce copious amounts of root suckers and that is one of the best ways of starting new plants. My own plant in my old garden was just such a start.......a gift from one of my hort profs. And I in turn shared with other gardeners. A gift that keeps on giving!

Yeah, I don't get the jam scent much either but the peanut butter comes through loud and clear.