Description
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Glory Bower, Rose Glory Bower, Cashmere Bouquet
- Botanical Name: Clerodendrum bungei ‘Pink Diamond’
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Mature Height: 1.5-2m
- Mature Spread: 1.5-2m
- Flowering Period: July to October
- Flower Colour: Deep rose-pink, fragrant domed clusters
- Foliage: Large, heart-shaped leaves with pink and cream variegation
- Hardiness: RHS H4 (-10°C to -5°C)
- Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, fertile soil
- Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
- Maintenance: Medium
Description
Like an exotic jewel discovered in a forgotten corner of an Irish cottage garden, Clerodendrum bungei ‘Pink Diamond’ brings tropical glamour to our temperate climate with its spectacular variegated foliage and intoxicating fragrance. This remarkable cultivar transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, with leaves that shimmer like precious stones in shades of pink, cream, and green.
Throughout the long summer months, magnificent domed clusters of deep rose-pink flowers crown each stem like nature’s own bouquets, releasing a sweet, almost narcotic fragrance that perfumes the entire garden on warm evenings. The blooms attract clouds of butterflies and beneficial insects, creating a living tapestry of colour and movement that celebrates the abundance of the Irish growing season.
But it’s the foliage that truly sets ‘Pink Diamond’ apart from its green-leaved cousins. Each large, heart-shaped leaf emerges with stunning variegation in soft pink and cream tones, creating a backdrop so beautiful that the flowers become an added bonus rather than the main attraction. This vigorous shrub thrives in Ireland’s mild climate, though it benefits from a sheltered position to protect those magnificent leaves from harsh winds.
Perfect for adding exotic flair to mixed borders, this beauty pairs wonderfully with purple-leaved plants like Cotinus or dark-flowered Dahlias, whilst its late-season blooms provide valuable nectar when many other plants are fading.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Plant in late spring after the risk of hard frost has passed, choosing a warm, sheltered spot with morning sun and afternoon protection. Space plants 1.5m apart to accommodate their vigorous spreading habit.
Prepare planting holes with plenty of well-rotted compost or manure, as this hungry feeder appreciates rich, fertile soil. In exposed gardens, consider planting against a south-facing wall or fence for additional warmth and wind protection.
Water regularly during dry spells, particularly in the first growing season, and apply a generous mulch of organic matter in spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced fertiliser to encourage the spectacular variegated foliage.
In colder areas of Ireland, this shrub may die back to ground level in harsh winters but will regenerate vigorously from the base in spring. Cut back any frost-damaged growth in late spring once new shoots appear.