How to Grow Cashmere Bouquet
Cashmere Bouquet
Clerodendrum bungei
shrubCashmere Bouquet is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub prized for its intensely fragrant, rose-pink flower clusters that bloom in late summer and fall. The plant features large, heart-shaped leaves and produces showy panicles of small, delicate flowers with a rich, spicy-sweet fragrance. It's an excellent choice for fragrant gardens, borders, and containers in warm climates.
When should you plant Cashmere Bouquet in your zone?
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Example Cashmere Bouquet timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Cashmere Bouquet
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Cashmere Bouquet
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cashmere Bouquet dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8-11; can be grown as an annual or container plant in zone 7
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Get my Cashmere Bouquet timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling/Young Plant
4-8 weeksSmall plants with emerging heart-shaped leaves and minimal branching
Provide bright, indirect light; keep soil moist but not soggy; protect from cold drafts; fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer
Vegetative Growth
6-10 weeksRapid development of stems, branches, and foliage; plant becomes fuller and bushier
Pinch back growing tips to encourage branching; provide full sun; fertilize monthly with balanced or high-nitrogen fertilizer; water regularly
Bud Formation
2-4 weeksFlower buds appear at branch tips in late summer; plant prepares for blooming
Switch to lower-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus fertilizer to promote flowering; maintain consistent moisture; avoid overwatering which delays blooms
Flowering
8-12 weeksStunning rose-pink fragrant flower clusters (panicles) open progressively from bottom to top; intense sweet-spicy fragrance fills the air
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms; water consistently; provide afternoon shade in very hot climates; enjoy the fragrance
Dormancy/Winter Rest
3-4 monthsIn deciduous forms, leaves drop and plant goes dormant; in semi-evergreen forms, some foliage may persist
Reduce watering significantly; minimal fertilizing; in cold zones, mulch heavily or bring containers indoors; prune dead wood in late winter
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap; prune heavily infested sections; encourage natural predators
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticide if severe; neem oil applications
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Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swab; spray with insecticidal soap; isolate severely infested plants
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Prune infested branches; spray with horticultural oil during dormant season; treat with neem oil
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Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or fungicide; remove affected leaves
Uses
Floral Flavoring
CulinaryThe fragrant flowers can be crystallized or used to infuse syrups for desserts and beverages, though primarily valued for aroma rather than taste. [source]
Cut Flower & Fragrance
HouseholdThe intensely scented flowers are excellent for fresh flower arrangements, and can be dried or used in potpourri to perfume rooms naturally. [source]
Traditional Medicine
MedicinalIn traditional Asian medicine, Clerodendrum species have been used to treat inflammation and various ailments, though clinical evidence is limited. [source]
Dried Arrangements & Crafts
CraftDried flower clusters retain their attractive form and subtle fragrance, making them ideal for dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and craft projects. [source]
Pollinator Magnet
WildlifeThe abundant flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, making it an excellent choice for supporting pollinators in gardens. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut fragrant flower clusters in early morning when dew has just dried for use in fresh arrangements and to encourage more blooms. Flowers last 5-7 days in water. Collect flowers at various stages of opening for longer-lasting arrangements.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Cashmere Bouquet produces an extraordinarily fragrant scent that can fill an entire garden on warm evenings; the intensity increases as the flower clusters mature.
- 🌱 The plant is native to China and has been cultivated in India and other regions for centuries, where it's valued for its exceptional fragrance.
- 🌱 It can spread via underground rhizomes and may become somewhat invasive in warm climates with ideal conditions, so containment may be needed.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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