Clerodendrum Ugandense
Rotheca myricoides 'Ugandense' (syn. Clerodendrum ugandense)
Clerodendrum ugandense, now correctly known as Rotheca myricoides 'Ugandense', is a fast-growing evergreen shrub from tropical East Africa celebrated for its masses of two-toned blue butterfly-like flowers. It symbolizes freedom, transformation, and joy.
Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Late spring through autumn (April to frost); nearly continuous in frost-free climates
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: gazanias and clerodendrums also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
The Blue Butterfly Bush earns its evocative common name from the remarkable resemblance of each individual flower to a butterfly in full flight, complete with pale wings, a darker body lobe, and curved stamens mimicking antennae. Native to the mountains of tropical East Africa, the plant has been cultivated in botanical gardens for nearly a century and holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Its vivid blue color, among the rarest in the tropical plant kingdom, gives it a special status as a symbol of the extraordinary in nature. In many cultures butterflies represent transformation, freedom, and the human spirit, meanings that translate naturally onto this remarkable and beloved shrub.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; blooms best in full sun (at least 6-7 hours per day); tolerates part shade with slightly reduced flowering
Water
Consistent moisture during the growing season; reduce watering in winter; tolerates brief drought once established
Soil
Moist, Well-drained, Loamy, Rich in organic matter
Expert Growing Tips
Prune back hard in early spring to encourage fresh growth and prolific flowering on new season's wood
In USDA zones 8 and 9, the plant may freeze to the ground in winter but typically regrows from the roots in spring
Bring container plants indoors before the first frost in cooler climates; minimum temperature 10 degrees C (50 degrees F)
Propagate very easily from semi-hardwood stem cuttings taken in summer
Fertilize monthly during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer to maintain vigorous blooming
Pinch or prune lightly during the season to maintain a tidy, bushy habit and promote even more lateral flowering
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Specimen or focal point shrub in tropical and subtropical gardens
- Container and patio plant; ideal for large pots overwintered indoors in cooler climates
- Pollinator garden plant attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Mixed flowering border plant for summer and autumn color
- Easily trained as a standard or small patio tree
Traditional Uses
- Rotheca myricoides is one of five African plants included in PHELA, a new COVID-19 therapeutic candidate showing over 90% inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in in vitro testing
- Attracts Xylocopa bee species and the Asian hornet Pseumenes depressus as key pollinators
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Clerodendrum Ugandense
Why is Clerodendrum ugandense called the Blue Butterfly Bush?
Each flower of Clerodendrum ugandense has four pale blue spreading petals resembling butterfly wings, a fifth darker violet-blue lower petal resembling the body, and long curved purple stamens that look exactly like antennae. The overall effect is of a small blue butterfly frozen in flight.
What does the Blue Butterfly Bush symbolize?
Clerodendrum ugandense symbolizes freedom, transformation, and joy. Its butterfly-shaped flowers carry all the symbolic weight of the butterfly itself, representing lightness of spirit, personal growth, and the beauty of change.
Is Clerodendrum ugandense the same as Rotheca myricoides?
Yes. The cultivar widely sold as Clerodendrum ugandense was reclassified based on DNA studies in 1998 and is now correctly named Rotheca myricoides 'Ugandense'. The name Clerodendrum ugandense is still widely used in horticulture even though it is no longer botanically accurate.
Is Clerodendrum ugandense frost hardy?
Clerodendrum ugandense is not frost hardy. In USDA zones 10 and 11 it grows as a perennial shrub. In zones 8 and 9 it may freeze to the ground in winter but can regenerate from its roots in spring. In colder zones it must be grown in containers and overwintered indoors above 10 degrees C (50 degrees F).
How do I prune Clerodendrum ugandense?
Because it flowers on the current season's new growth, Clerodendrum ugandense can be pruned at any time. Hard pruning in early spring encourages a bushy shape and abundant new flowering shoots. Cutting back old wood to just above a pair of healthy buds is the most effective method.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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