Starburst Bush (Clerodendrum quadriloculare): Explosive Pink and White Flowers

Starburst bush (Clerodendrum quadriloculare), also called shooting star, is a large, deciduous shrub with elliptical, dark green leaves (purple undersides) and spectacular, terminal clusters of tubular flowers—white with pink tips, resembling exploding fireworks. It blooms in late winter to spring.

Habit

Grows 10–15 feet tall and wide. Can be trained as a small tree. The flowers are fragrant at night. It spreads by root suckers, which can be invasive in some areas.

Culture

Full sun to part shade; well-drained soil. Water regularly. Prune after flowering to control suckers. Hardy in zones 9–11.

Taxonomy

• Family: Lamiaceae
• Genus: Clerodendrum
• Species: quadriloculare
• Synonym: Ligustrum quadriloculare