Overview

Introduce a touch of whimsical beauty to your outdoor space with the exquisite Clerodendrum Ugandense live plant. Also widely known as the blue butterfly bush, this captivating shrub is celebrated for its distinctive pale blue flowers that bear a striking resemblance to delicate butterflies in flight. Each bloom is a miniature work of art, creating a dynamic and visually engaging display. Native to East Africa, this plant thrives in warm climates and is a fantastic addition for gardeners looking to add unique flora. It’s not just its aesthetic appeal that makes it special; the Clerodendrum Ugandense is also a magnet for pollinators, turning your garden into a lively sanctuary for butterflies and bees.

This Clerodendrum Ugandense live plant is supplied as a robust specimen, approximately 1ft tall and rooted in a 6-inch nursery pot, ready to be transplanted into your garden or a larger container. Its vigorous growth habit and continuous blooming make it a rewarding choice for both seasoned gardeners and enthusiastic beginners. The plant’s common name, ‘Blue Butterfly Bush,’ perfectly encapsulates its charm and its role in supporting local ecosystems. Prepare to be enchanted by its unique floral design and the vibrant life it brings to your garden.

Key Benefits

The Clerodendrum Ugandense live plant offers a multitude of benefits, making it an excellent choice for any gardener:

• Unique Floral Display: The most prominent feature is its extraordinary pale blue flowers. These blooms are intricately shaped, mimicking butterflies, providing a constant source of visual interest and conversation in any setting.
• Attracts Pollinators: As its common name suggests, the blue butterfly bush is an irresistible beacon for butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. Planting this shrub can significantly enhance the biodiversity of your garden, supporting local insect populations.
• Vigorous Growth: This plant is known for its relatively fast growth rate, quickly establishing itself and producing an abundance of flowers. You won’t have to wait long to enjoy its spectacular show.
• Long Blooming Season: With proper care, the Clerodendrum Ugandense can bloom for an extended period, often from spring through fall, ensuring a continuous burst of color and activity in your garden.
• Versatile Landscaping: Whether used as a specimen plant, in mixed borders, or even as an informal hedge, its unique appearance makes it a versatile choice for various garden designs. Its ability to thrive in containers also makes it suitable for patios and balconies.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the Clerodendrum Ugandense live plant is relatively low-maintenance, requiring only basic care to flourish and produce its stunning blossoms. This makes it ideal for gardeners seeking high impact with minimal effort.
• Exotic Appeal: Originating from tropical regions, this plant brings an exotic flair to your landscape, transforming ordinary spaces into vibrant, tropical-inspired havens.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Clerodendrum Ugandense live plant is rewarding and relatively straightforward, ensuring a continuous display of its beautiful pale blue flowers. This plant thrives in conditions that mimic its tropical origins. For optimal growth and prolific blooming, it requires plenty of sunlight. Aim for a location that receives at least 6 hours of full sun per day. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent leaf scorch, but too much shade will reduce flowering. The blue butterfly bush prefers consistently moist soil but not waterlogged conditions. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, and reduce watering slightly during cooler, dormant periods.

The ideal soil for the Clerodendrum Ugandense live plant is well-draining, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0). Amend heavy clay soils with compost or peat moss to improve drainage and aeration. Fertilize during the growing season (spring through fall) with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks, or use a slow-release granular fertilizer once at the beginning of spring. Pruning is essential to maintain shape, encourage bushier growth, and promote more flowers. Prune after a flush of blooms or in late winter/early spring before new growth emerges. It is generally hardy in USDA Zones 9-11, where it can be grown outdoors year-round. In cooler zones, it can be grown as an annual or overwintered indoors as a container plant. Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids or whiteflies, treating with insecticidal soap if necessary.

Size & Details

This offering is for one healthy Clerodendrum Ugandense live plant, which stands approximately 1ft (12 inches) tall from the base of the pot to the tip of its tallest stem. The plant is firmly rooted in a 6-inch diameter nursery pot, providing it with a strong start for transplanting. While young, this plant has the potential to grow into a substantial shrub, typically reaching heights of 6-10 feet and a similar spread when mature, especially in ideal growing conditions. Its growth rate is considered moderate to fast, allowing it to establish quickly in your garden. Expect the first blooms to appear within the first growing season if provided with adequate light and care, with subsequent seasons bringing increasingly abundant pale blue flowers.

The blue butterfly bush is a multi-stemmed shrub with an open, airy habit. Its foliage is a vibrant green, providing a lovely contrast to the delicate blue blossoms. When planted in the ground, it will develop a robust root system, supporting its impressive top growth. For container planting, select a pot that is at least 10-12 inches in diameter initially, gradually upsizing as the plant grows to accommodate its root development. This ensures the plant has enough space and nutrients to flourish and continue producing its unique, butterfly-like flowers throughout its long blooming period.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Clerodendrum Ugandense live plant get? A: When mature, the Clerodendrum Ugandense can typically reach a height of 6 to 10 feet and a similar spread, depending on growing conditions and pruning. It’s a moderately fast grower.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While it thrives outdoors in USDA Zones 9-11, it can be grown as a beautiful container plant on patios or brought indoors during colder months in lower zones. It prefers warm, bright environments.
• Q: How much sunlight does the blue butterfly bush need? A: For the best flowering, the Clerodendrum Ugandense requires at least 6 hours of full sun daily. In extremely hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to protect the foliage.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, once established, the Clerodendrum Ugandense live plant is relatively low-maintenance. It primarily needs consistent watering, well-draining soil, and adequate sunlight to thrive.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive healthy, approximately 1ft tall, and securely rooted in its 6-inch nursery pot, ready for planting or repotting. We ensure careful packaging for safe transit.
• Q: When is the best time to plant a blue butterfly bush? A: The best time to plant is in spring or early summer after the last frost, allowing the plant ample time to establish before cooler weather. For indoor growing, it can be planted year-round.
• Q: Will its pale blue flowers really attract butterflies? A: Absolutely! The unique structure and color of the flowers are highly attractive to butterflies and other pollinators, making it an excellent addition to a pollinator garden.
• Q: What kind of soil does this plant prefer? A: It thrives in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal for optimal growth and flowering.
• Q: What is the USDA hardiness zone for this plant? A: The Clerodendrum Ugandense live plant is hardy in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder zones, it is best grown in containers and protected from frost.
• Q: How often should I fertilize my Clerodendrum Ugandense? A: During the active growing season (spring to fall), fertilize every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer, or use a slow-release granular option once in early spring.