Clerodendrum splendens

The Flaming Glorybower, originating in West Africa, is an attractive and easily maintained, vigorous climber which makes a colourful addition to a garden, and is best planted in the shade in Arriyadh, where the light is bright enough for it to grow well. Twining in habit, it has large, up to 15 cm deep-veined, oval leaves arranged in opposite pairs, and bears clusters of bright red flowers. The 2-cm-large, individual flowers vary in shades of purple to scarlet. The flowering period is at its peak at the beginning of winter, and lasts until early summer, but the showy flowers are present throughout the year. It likes acidic, sandy soil, but will do well in most situations. Flaming Glorybower is relatively drought-tolerant once it has established itself, but requires deep watering in summer. It will grow to a height of 5 metres with a spread of 3 metres. This climber spreads rapidly from root suckers, which may appear through paving, but on the whole it is not an aggressive vine and climbs happily with support over trellis and shade structures. Once at the top, its branches go back down again to form a dense wall of leaves and flowers. Without support, C. splendens spreads itself flat forming a dense groundcover. Propagation is by seed, hardwood cuttings or splitting off root suckers. Easy to prune, it responds well to shaping or a very hard cut back. A tropical plant, it will be damaged if there are frosts. It is therefore not suitable for unprotected gardens outside Arriyadh, and should be sheltered from cold and hot winds.