Bleeding Heart Vine

Clerodendrum thomsoniae commonly called Bleeding Heart Vine originated in West Africa.

Garden (Peggy Chin)Bleeding Heart Vine has woody twining stems with large broad and oblong leaves.

It is also a well-known vine and a popular climbing shrub. It is best to plant this shrub outdoors with the support of a trellis to climb and spread. The evergreen leaves will give you year round beauty and produces dramatic and colourful white and red blooms.

The tubular necks of the flowers are surrounded by white sepals which form the calyx and the small red flowers which form the corolla are carried in dropping clusters at the end of each shoot.

Bleeding Heart Vine has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

This plant was named at the request of Rev William Cooper Thomson in the 18th century in honour of his late wife. Thomson was a missionary and physician in Nigeria.

Bleeding Heart Vine needs a little care and attention to help it to climb on a trellis.

Fertilize with Blue Corn fertilizer or Osmocote Slow Release once per month and enjoy the white and red blooms all year round.

Until next week, Happy Gardening.