I used to know this plant as a common plant found growing in villages. Then when I visited the Perak Herbal Garden, I got to know its local name as "Nyonya Makan Sireh" and that its scientific name is Clerodendrum thomsoniae. Other names are Gloryblower and Bleeding heart.
Bleeding heart can grow very tall. I read from the internet that it can grow to about 15 feet tall. Since I am growing it in a small flower pot, I intend to trim it to control its height and encourage a more bushier growth.
The plant in my garden was grown from a single stem cutting given to me by a friend.
My plant was only about 1.5 feet when it started to grow these cute flower buds.
I learned that the white are calyces and the red are corollas.
This plant is tolerant to full sunlight but since it is still a small plant growing in a small pot, I place it in partial shade.
I used normal garden soil with good water drainage.
On normal days, I watered it once a day preferably in the early morning. On very hot days, I may water it twice a day.
The cute round buds opened into dainty red flowers.
I feed it with fertilizer once in 2 - 3 weeks.
I find these white and red combination very striking and attractive and they add colours to my garden. I have read somewhere that propagation can also be done through seeds. I hope to get some seeds soon.
Mealy bugs or spider mites may be a problem to this plant, so I better look out just in case. Bleeding hearts are suitable for climbing or twining garden trellis.
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These white and red flowers are very attractive and showy against the green background.
Linking to Flower Wednesday.
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive
so that you will have the right response for everyone.
(Colossians 4:6, New Living Translation-NLT)
