Cleome, commonly known as spider flower, is a popular annual plant cherished for its distinctive blooms. Gardeners choose it to add vertical interest and texture to landscapes. Its continuous flowering throughout warm months makes it a favored choice. Various types offer characteristics to suit different gardening preferences.
Understanding Cleome
Cleome belongs to the genus Cleome and is typically grown as an annual, though some varieties are perennial in warmer zones. Native to South America, these plants exhibit an upright and bushy growth habit. Its unique flowers feature four petals and six long, protruding stamens, giving them a delicate, spider-like appearance. Flowers bloom in dense racemes, progressing upwards along the stem.
Foliage is typically palmate, with five to seven leaflets, and can sometimes be sticky with a distinct musky fragrance. Many newer cultivars have been bred to reduce or eliminate this scent and stickiness. It thrives in full sun (at least six hours daily) and prefers well-drained soil. While established plants show some drought tolerance, consistent moisture promotes the best growth and flowering.
Common Cleome Species & Cultivars
The most widely cultivated species is Cleome hassleriana, from which many popular series and cultivars have been developed. It is known for its showy blooms and attracting pollinators.
The ‘Queen’ Series
The ‘Queen’ series represents some of the older, traditional cleome varieties. These plants are known for their height, typically reaching 3 to 5 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet. Flower colors in this series include white, pink, rose, cherry, and purple shades, such as ‘Rose Queen’ with delicate rose-pink flowers and ‘Violet Queen’ with purple blooms. ‘Queen’ series cleomes are prolific self-seeders, and their foliage often has a strong odor and spines at the base of the leaves.
The ‘Sparkler’ Series
The ‘Sparkler’ series was among the first hybrid cleomes developed, offering a more compact and vigorous option. These varieties grow to about 2 to 3 feet tall and 1.5 to 2 feet wide, making them suitable for containers and smaller garden spaces. ‘Sparkler’ cleomes are available in colors like blush, lavender, rose, and white. For example, ‘Sparkler Blush’ features pink and white blooms and received an All-America Selections award. While these plants are bushier, some ‘Sparkler’ varieties may still have thorns.
The ‘Color Fountain’ Series
The ‘Color Fountain’ series provides a blend of colors on tall, architectural plants. This traditional strain features flowers in pink, rose, lilac, purple, and white, reaching heights of 3 to 5 feet. These plants offer a dramatic vertical element and are valued for their vibrant, mixed hues. Like other older varieties, ‘Color Fountain’ cleomes can develop small spines on their stems.
The ‘Senorita’ Series
The ‘Senorita’ series, including ‘Senorita Rosalita’ and ‘Senorita Blanca’, represents a significant advancement in cleome breeding. These hybrids are sterile, meaning they do not produce viable seeds, preventing self-seeding and eliminating the need for deadheading. They are also thornless and have odorless, non-sticky foliage, addressing common drawbacks of older cleome types. ‘Senorita Rosalita’ typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall with a spread of 1.5 to 2 feet, featuring lavender-pink flowers that bloom continuously from late spring through fall. ‘Senorita Blanca’ offers pure white flowers and similar thornless, sterile characteristics.
Key Characteristics & Choosing the Right Type
When selecting cleome for your garden, considering specific characteristics like size, color, and self-seeding tendencies is helpful. The mature height and spread of different cultivars vary considerably, impacting their placement. Taller varieties, such as the ‘Queen’ series, are suited for the back of borders or as a temporary screen. Their aggressive self-seeding can be an advantage for gardeners desiring naturalized areas or a continuous display without annual replanting.
Sterile hybrids, like the ‘Senorita’ series, are ideal if self-seeding is a concern. Their thornless and odorless nature makes them preferable for high-traffic areas or containers. Their compact growth (2 to 4 feet tall) suits mid-border plantings or large containers. The ‘Sparkler’ series (2 to 3 feet tall) also offers a manageable size for containers and a bushy form. The choice between these types allows gardeners to tailor their cleome selection to their specific aesthetic and maintenance preferences.