Clerodendrum thomsoniae aka Bleeding Heart Glorybower

Clerodendrum thomsoniae, also known as bleeding glory-bower, is a species of evergreen flowering plant in the genus Clerodendrum. It is native to tropical west Africa, specifically from Cameroon to Senegal. This vigorous twining shrub can reach a height of 4 meters and has ovate to oblong leaves that are 8-17 cm long. The plant produces clusters of striking flowers, consisting of a white or greenish-white bell-shaped calyx with a scarlet star-shaped bloom peeping through a split in its tip. The contrast of scarlet and white creates a highly effective display. In temperate areas, Clerodendrum thomsoniae is grown as an ornamental plant for its decorative two-colored flowers. However, it requires a minimum temperature of 10-13 °C and a frost-free environment. It gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 2017. The plant was named in honor of Rev. William Cooper Thomson and was popularly known as "beauty bush" during the mid-19th century. It lost popularity when its specific cultivation requirements were forgotten, including the need for a partially submerged root system and good light. In some regions, it has escaped cultivation and naturalized.