Clerodendrum Schmidtii Live Plant – Chains of Glory – White Cascading Flowers – 2-3 ft Tall – Ships in 3 Gallon Pot

Overview

Introduce a touch of winter wonder to your landscape with the magnificent Clerodendrum Schmidtii live plant, commonly known as Chains of Glory plant. This exceptional winter-blooming clerodendrum offers a spectacular display of cascading white flowers that gracefully contrast against its rich, deep green foliage. Originating from tropical regions, this plant thrives in warm climates and can be a stunning addition to any garden or patio. The flowering racemes of the Clerodendrum Schmidtii live plant can hang down a foot and a half or more, creating an impressive visual spectacle, typically arriving in the depth of winter when most other plants are dormant. It’s a true gem for those looking to extend their garden’s blooming season and enjoy vibrant flora during the colder months. Its unique flowering habit makes it a standout choice for both experienced gardeners and enthusiastic beginners seeking something truly special.

The botanical name, Clerodendrum schmidtii, distinguishes this particular variety, which is often confused with Clerodendrum smithianum, though both share the common name ‘Chains of Glory’. Our offering is the true Clerodendrum Schmidtii live plant, renowned for its prolific and long-lasting winter blooms. This live plant arrives ready to thrive, carefully nurtured to ensure it establishes well in its new home. Whether you’re looking to create a dramatic focal point or add a delicate cascade of white to your garden, this plant promises to deliver unparalleled beauty and charm.

Key Benefits

The Chains of Glory plant offers a multitude of benefits that make it a highly desirable addition to any garden. Its unique characteristics provide both aesthetic appeal and ease of care, ensuring a rewarding gardening experience. The cascading white flowers are truly a sight to behold, transforming your space into a serene haven.

• Spectacular Winter Blooms: Unlike many plants that go dormant, the Clerodendrum Schmidtii live plant puts on a breathtaking show of cascading white flowers during the winter months. This provides much-needed color and interest when other plants are dormant, extending the beauty of your garden year-round.
• Dramatic Visual Impact: The long, pendulous racemes of white flowers can reach up to 1.5 feet, creating a stunning waterfall effect. This dramatic display makes it an excellent focal point in any garden, patio, or even as an indoor specimen in a well-lit area.
• Versatile Growth Habit: This plant is incredibly adaptable. It can be grown beautifully in hanging baskets, allowing its ‘chains’ of flowers to dangle freely, or trained as a standard, creating an upright, tree-like form. Its versatility makes it suitable for various garden designs and spaces.
• Extended Flowering Season: Often, the Chains of Glory plant will have two distinct flowering periods during the winter season, ensuring a prolonged period of enjoyment and beauty. This extended bloom time maximizes its ornamental value in your landscape.
• Relatively Low Maintenance: Once established, this winter blooming clerodendrum is surprisingly easy to care for, requiring consistent watering and appropriate sunlight. Its robust nature makes it a great choice for gardeners of all experience levels seeking high reward with moderate effort.
• Lush Foliage: Even when not in bloom, the deep green foliage of the Clerodendrum Schmidtii live plant provides a lush, tropical look. This evergreen quality ensures your garden maintains an attractive appearance throughout the year, adding texture and depth.
• Attracts Pollinators: While primarily a winter bloomer, its flowers can still attract beneficial pollinators in warmer climates or during milder periods, contributing to the biodiversity of your garden ecosystem.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper care is essential for ensuring your Clerodendrum Schmidtii live plant thrives and produces its stunning cascading white flowers. This winter blooming clerodendrum, while relatively easy to grow, benefits greatly from specific environmental conditions and routine maintenance. Understanding its needs will help you enjoy its beauty for many seasons.

For optimal growth, the Chains of Glory plant prefers a location with full sun exposure. This means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In extremely hot climates, some afternoon shade might be beneficial to prevent leaf scorch, but generally, more sun equals more blooms. When grown indoors, place it near a south-facing window or provide supplemental grow lights to ensure it receives adequate light. The soil should be well-draining, rich in organic matter. A good quality potting mix amended with compost or peat moss works well for container planting. For in-ground planting, ensure the soil is not overly heavy clay; amend with sand or perlite if needed to improve drainage. Consistent moisture is key, especially during active growth and flowering periods. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, but avoid waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. Reduce watering slightly during dormant periods.

The Clerodendrum plant care routine also includes proper fertilization. During the growing season (spring through fall), feed your plant monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Reduce or stop fertilizing during winter when the plant is blooming or less actively growing. This plant is sensitive to cold temperatures and is best suited for USDA hardiness zones 9-11. If you live in a colder climate, it can be grown in a container and brought indoors before the first frost. Pruning is crucial for encouraging abundant blooms. The most important rule for this winter blooming clerodendrum is to avoid pruning after the height of summer. Pruning too late in the season can remove the flower buds that form on old wood, disrupting the blooming cycle. Light shaping can be done in early spring after the last blooms have faded. Watch out for common pests like spider mites or whiteflies; treat with insecticidal soap if an infestation occurs. Providing good air circulation also helps prevent fungal issues.

Size & Details

This beautiful Clerodendrum Schmidtii live plant is typically shipped as a well-established specimen, ready to be transplanted into your garden or a larger decorative container. Each plant is approximately 2 to 3 feet long from the soil line, providing a substantial start for immediate impact. It arrives in a sturdy 3-gallon nursery pot, ensuring the root system is healthy and robust for successful transition. The plant’s growth rate is moderate, and with proper care, it can achieve a mature size of 6-8 feet tall and wide when grown in the ground in ideal conditions. In containers, its size can be managed through pruning. Expect the first significant flush of the iconic cascading white flowers during its first winter season, though some plants may still be developing their bloom cycle upon arrival. This Chains of Glory plant is a long-lived perennial in suitable climates, providing many years of enjoyment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Clerodendrum Schmidtii live plant typically grows 6-8 feet tall and wide when planted in the ground in suitable climates. Its size can be controlled with pruning, especially when grown in containers.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This plant ships in a 3-gallon nursery pot, providing a healthy root system and a good head start for growth. You can transplant it to a larger decorative pot or directly into your garden.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Chains of Glory plant thrives outdoors in USDA zones 9-11. In colder zones, it can be grown as an annual or brought indoors during winter as a stunning potted houseplant.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This winter blooming clerodendrum requires full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best flowering performance. Partial shade might be tolerated in very hot climates.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, with the right conditions (full sun, well-draining soil, consistent watering), the Clerodendrum plant care is relatively straightforward. It’s a rewarding plant for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your Clerodendrum Schmidtii live plant will arrive in a healthy, well-hydrated state, carefully packaged to minimize stress during transit. It will be rooted in its 3-gallon pot.
• Q: How long until it blooms? A: This plant is a winter bloomer. If planted in the appropriate season, you can expect its spectacular cascading white flowers to appear during its first winter season.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature it can tolerate? A: The Chains of Glory plant is sensitive to frost and thrives in temperatures above 40°F (4°C). It is not tolerant of freezing temperatures and should be protected or brought indoors in colder zones.
• Q: Can I prune this plant? A: Yes, you can prune it for shaping and size control. However, it’s crucial to avoid pruning after late summer to ensure you don’t remove the flower buds that form for the winter bloom cycle.
• Q: Is it safe for pets? A: While specific toxicity information can vary, it’s generally best practice to keep all ornamental plants out of reach of pets, especially if you suspect they might chew on foliage. Always consult with a veterinarian if ingestion is suspected.