Invasive Clerodendrum Smithianum

2 years ago

This is the most beautiful plant in my garden - twice a year spring and fall it sends out gorgeous profuse strings of little flowers and is really a sight to behold. Unfortunately, the plant (which is now about 5' tall is always invasive in that it sends out shoots from the mother plant that are not even close to the mother plant. I found one that actually had blooms on it that was about 8' away. I am getting ready to yank it out of the ground but thought I would first check here to see if anyone had any ideas about what to do with this creature.

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Comments (5)

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
2 years ago
Perhaps containerizing it will control the spread?
jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi Carol! I think that might be the only solution. It's sending out underground runners (like bamboo) but I am wondering if it is also spreading \seeds. The vigor of this plant scares me...lol. It's right next to be a/c unit and its corral which sits on a concrete slab and the plant runners have made it to the other side of the corral.
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dirtygardener
2 years ago
I've never seen a clerodendrum that doesn't do that. Containerizing is only a partial solution. I've seen them send runners out through the drainage holes in the pot to spread into the ground.
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
2 years ago
That's one thing saucers are good for...
jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I think this one is too big to containerize it. The trunk is about 3" diameter. Somhow the shrub managed to turn into a little tree. I pruned it hard yesterday but that's not going to help what's going on underground. I would try root slicing it but without putting up barriers I fear it would just encourage it to send out more roots.

Invasive Clerodendrum Smithianum

Comments (5)

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b

jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)
Original Author

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Invasive Clerodendrum Smithianum

Comments (5)

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b

jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)Original Author

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carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b

jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)Original Author

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jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)
Original Author

jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)
Original Author