Cleidion: A Tropical Pacific Shrub for Warm Climate Gardens
If you’re looking for a unique shrub to add some Pacific Island flair to your tropical garden, let me introduce you to Cleidion. While this perennial shrub might not have a catchy common name that rolls off the tongue, it brings its own special charm to warm-climate landscapes.
Where Does Cleidion Come From?
Cleidion is native to the Pacific Basin (excluding Hawaii), with documented populations in Palau. This gives you a hint about the kind of climate this plant craves – think warm, tropical conditions with plenty of humidity and year-round warmth.
What Does Cleidion Look Like?
As a shrub, Cleidion typically stays under 13-16 feet tall, making it a manageable size for most garden settings. Like other shrubs, it develops multiple stems from the ground level, creating a bushy, full appearance. The exact appearance can vary, but many Cleidion species are grown for their attractive foliage.
Should You Plant Cleidion in Your Garden?
Here’s the thing about Cleidion – it’s quite particular about where it wants to live. This shrub is really only suitable for gardeners in the warmest climate zones (USDA zones 10-12). If you live somewhere that experiences frost or extended cool periods, Cleidion probably isn’t the right choice for your outdoor garden.
However, if you’re gardening in a truly tropical climate, Cleidion can be a wonderful addition to:
- Tropical landscape designs
- Botanical garden collections
- Pacific-themed garden areas
- Mixed shrub borders in warm climates
Growing Conditions and Care
Cleidion needs conditions that mimic its Pacific Island home:
- Climate: Warm, humid, tropical conditions year-round
- Temperature: Consistent warmth with no frost tolerance
- Humidity: High humidity levels
- USDA Zones: 10-12 only
Because specific growing requirements for Cleidion aren’t widely documented, it’s best to treat it like other tropical Pacific shrubs – provide consistent moisture, protect from strong winds, and ensure it has the warm, humid environment it evolved in.
The Bottom Line
Cleidion is definitely a specialty plant for specialty gardens. Unless you’re gardening in a truly tropical climate or have a heated greenhouse, this Pacific native probably isn’t practical for your landscape. But if you do live in the right zone and want something a bit different from the usual tropical suspects, Cleidion could be an interesting addition to your plant collection.
For gardeners in cooler climates looking for native alternatives, consider researching shrubs native to your specific region – you’ll have much better luck with plants adapted to your local conditions!
