Although I’ve never grown the Cleome [Cleome serrulata] from seed, I have planted my fair share of this airy and attractive annual in many gardens. As height dictates, this would be a rear border plant, or, if you are doing a circular garden, center it so that other plants surround it for best show.
Characteristics: ~Zone - anywhere ~Full sun to light shade ~Colors - pink, rose, white, soft lavender ~Blooms early summer into mid fall ~Grows 4‘-6’ tall, 1 foot spread ~Not fussy about soil but prefers good drainage ~Perfect for cutting bed or borders ~Hummingbirds love them
Its’ nickname is Spider Flower because the flowers are covered with waving stamen on upright leafy stems. The flower heads are quite large, measuring on average around 8” which, coupled with its’ impressive height, makes a stunning display in any area. It works well with most flowers and even looks good nestled among shrubs. It is extremely heat tolerant and isn’t adverse to dry weather. However, the lower leaves do tend to fall away as summer progresses so I suggest some adjoining plant coverage to hide this fact.
As a cut flower it can make quite the impact in an arrangement but I should caution you - the scent may offend some. In my opinion, and from what others have said to me, it almost has a light cat urine odor. Not exactly what you might want to grace the dinner centerpiece. A shame, really, because the flowers make such a beautiful presentation. The foliage is much nicer in scent than the flower, but still …
Because of their height and wispy nature, you need to offer them protection from high winds. This is why it is also helpful to have them surrounded by lower growing plants to buffer the wind. They really don’t seem to be bothered by pests or even any diseases, making them almost carefree, especially considering the fact they are so soil and weather tolerant.
Overall it is a much desired plant but err on the side of caution and leave it far enough away from human noses to allow the beauty of the plant to speak for itself. It is best planted in masses for visual effect and does tend to self-sow so you may get some volunteers the next season. But, hey, who wants to turn down free plants?
It comes in a variety of colors and is a must have for your hummingbird and butterfly garden. Enjoy.
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