El clerodendrum trichotomum or tree of destiny is a shrub or small tree with such a particular flowering that it immediately catches the attention of everyone who sees it. However, it is not very well known.
It is a variety native to Asia that has been spreading throughout both Europe and America, especially in those places where winters have moderate temperatures and summers are warm.
Everything you need to know about the tree of destiny
Clerodendrum trichotomum has its East Asian origin, being very common in China, Japan and Korea. But due to its beauty it has become popular as an ornamental plant in many places in Europe and the United States.
In Europe it grows well in areas that have a temperate and Mediterranean climate, such as Italy, Spain, Greece and the south of France.
From this small tree or shrub we can highlight:
- Leaves. They are large, simple and opposite, with a shape that varies slightly from oval to lanceolate, but always with serrated edges. Its color is bright green on top and a little lighter on the bottom.
- Appearance. It has an erect bearing and can reach up to six meters in height. It stands out for its thin branches and its curious flowers.
- Flowers. The flowering of the destiny tree occurs between summer and early autumn. The flowers have a pleasant, sweet aroma and are very showy. They have a white tubular appearance, and are surrounded by a calyx that turns bright red as the fruit forms.
- Fruits. This tree produces small dark blue or black berries that are of no nutritional value to humans, but are of interest to pollinating insects. A curious blue pigment is extracted from this fruit that is unique in its kind.
For the rest, as we will see below, this is a relatively easy-to-care for and resistant shrub.
Care that clerodendrum trichotomum needs
If you are thinking of putting a tree of destiny in your garden, pay attention to know the care it needs.
Location and light conditions
This tree prefers locations that receive several hours of direct sunlight each day. Although it will also grow well if the sunlight it receives is partial, that is, if it is in the sun for a few hours and then receives shade.
What is not good for clerodendrum trichotomum is having more hours of shadow than light. The more luminosity it receives, the faster its growth will be and its flowering will become more abundant.
If you put the clerodendrum trichotomum in a place with dense shade, you will see that its growth becomes slow, the plant takes on a weak appearance, and flowering is very limited.
Also make sure that the bush is in a place protected from the wind, if you live in a place where there are usually strong winds, because these could damage its branches.
Soil for this shrub
The substrate that houses this small tree must have a excellent drainage capacity, because it cannot tolerate waterlogging. If the soil you are going to use does not drain very well, you can add coarse sand or decomposed organic matter to increase its ability to evacuate water.
The ideal planting medium is one that is loose and well ventilated, with a balanced mixture between sand, silt and clay. Because this allows the roots to develop more effectively, by be able to better access oxygen and nutrients.
Clerodendrum trichotomum prefers a pH between slightly acidic and neutral, with a range between 6.0 and 7.0. The richer in nutrients, the better, so you can add compost or a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
Watering clerodendrum trichotomum
During the growing season, which runs from spring to summer, the soil should be evenly moist, but without being soaked. Therefore, it is advisable to water before the top layer of the substrate shows signs of being dry.
It is important to ensure that the soil has adequate drainage so that too much water does not accumulate in the roots, thereby preventing them from rotting.
Recommended water during the early morning hours, so that the plant can absorb moisture during the hours when temperatures are highest. This reduces the risk of mold associated with humidity.
During the winter the destiny tree is dormant, so you can reduce the frequency of watering. It will be enough to do it once every 10 or 15 days.
Observe the bush well to detect if the irrigation you are providing is adequate. If the leaves are wilted, this means that the plant needs water. On the contrary, if the leaves seem weak and have a soft touch, you have watered too much.
Support and tutoring
Clerodendrum trichotomum has a vertical carriage, so we must provide you with a support or a tutor to help you grow and maintain your form. Otherwise, it is quite likely that the branches will end up bending and damaging.
The simplest thing in these cases is install a mesh or trellis on the back of the plant and attach the branches to it so that they can hold on naturally afterwards.
The ideal is to do support and tutoring tasks when the plant is young, since the branches are then more flexible. As the bush grows, the branches become heavier and can be more difficult to move and place in the desired position.
Of course, when tying the branches you have to be careful not to damage the bark. To achieve this, it is better to use special gardening materials. In addition, the support and tutoring must be periodically reviewed to ensure that it is in good condition.
As the plant grows it gains weight, so it will surely You will need to readjust the support and even add new support structures to the ones you already have.
Caring for a clerodendrum trichotomum is quite simple, and in areas with a Mediterranean climate it can grow without any problem. Do you dare to put it in your garden?