Q: Can you identify this plant for me? I purchased it at the local garden centers and it did not have any label on it. It has never bloomed. It does die back when the temperatures get cold but it comes back.

A: I was not immediately familiar with this plant so I sent a brief description to the horticulture agent in Alachua and she recognized it as a clerodendrum, most likely one called “shooting stars” or “starburst”, Clerodendrum quadriloculare. It does seem odd that you have not seen blooms on it as this plant puts on large, clusters of white or pink blossom clusters during the winter months. Like many other clerodendrum, it has a tendency to be “weedy” as it can put out suckers from the roots and spread quickly. Therefore it might work better in a large container or raised bed. It can grow to heights of 6-8 feet if the winter is mild.

Shooting star plants are not picky about the soil type or pH, although well drained soils work best. It is just at or slightly out of our cold hardiness range which is 9 – 11. The leaves are quite striking as they are dark green on the top and a deep purple on the bottom. It can grow in partial shade to full sun but produces better flowers in full sun. Some people develop it as a single trunked tree while it is most often found in multi-stemmed forms similar to crape myrtle.

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