I have obtained a shrub which I now have potted in a very large container. It is woody when the leaves fall off. I put it outside because it was getting an infestation of aphids, and I was having trouble controlling them. So it was warm enough up here on Cape Cod to set it outside. But the rapid move made the leaves and flowers fall off. The plant is now getting green growth again after a few weeks of adaptation. This is what the leaves and flowers look like. The plant had no other label than Butterfly shrub when I received it. It is not the average Buddellia bush. It has fairly large dark green leaves of about 4 or 5 inches in oval shape. The flowers are small and delicate and when you look at them long enough you can see they truly do look like very tiny blue butterflies. There are four petals two small ones on the top side by side and two slightly larger ones on the bottom side by side. The stamens come out above the top two petals and curl backwards, like a butterflies antennae would do. The leaves of the plant have a stench when you brush by them. Maybe a protective odor to keep birds or bugs away. The leaves pretty much stink, but the plant is a wonder to look at when in bloom. It looks as though it has small blue butterflies mounted all over its leaves. The buds open gradually and as some die away after a day or so more open. Can you help me to identify this plant and what it likes. Does it need lots of sun, or partial shade to partial sun. I get the feeling it likes the partial sun/shade. I also don't know if this plant is winter hardy for our zone. Which is a zone 6 to zone 7.
With the help of Paul Cox of the San Antonio Botanical Gardens your plant has been identified as Clerodendrum ugandense (Blue Butterfly Bush). This is what Paul said: "My guess is Clerodendron ugandense. It is a tender shrublet that would not be hardy outdoors in your area."
Clerodendrum ugandense, (Blue Butterfly Flower). Upright grower, with canes which can reach 10' tall, though the height is usually under 6' here, and plants are easily kept shorter by shearing. Practically everblooming, with 1" blue-violet flowers on long, thin stalks at the tops of the plants. Flowers are reminiscent of butterflies in shape. Plant in rich, moist, well drained soil in partial shade. Zones 8-11. And this site for image to confirm that this is your plant:
www.botany.hawaii.edu...
