| Description | Spider Flower (Cleome hassleriana) A tall, wide-spreading half-hardy annuals for the back of a full sun garden. |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | (klee-OH-me)(hass-ler-AN-a) |
| Plant Type | Annuals, Site author's observations |
| Hardiness Zone | hardy annual |
| Sunlight | prefers full sun, I have seen it growing in some shade |
| Moisture | average |
| Soil & Site | average |
| Temperature | A harden plant can be put out in early to mid-May in zone #5. |
| Flowers | single flowers borne on a indeterminate raceme (#40), bloom in succession from the bottom to top of the flower stalk, has 3-4" long protruding stamens creating the spider-like effect, colors are white, pink, rose and lavender. |
| Fruit | seeds produced in a narrow pointed seed pod on narrow stems, produced in abundance, newer cultivars are sterile lacking seeds |
| Leaves | palmately compound clammy (sticky) leaves, spines at the base of leaves, new cultivars lack spines |
| Stems | thick woody-like stalk |
| Roots | fibrous |
| Dimensions | Height will vary from 3 up to 7 feet depending on the growing conditions. Width up to 3-4 feet. |
| Maintenance | need a saw or lopping shears to cut the thick stalk in the fall |
| Propagation | Will reseed itself producing a new generation of plants for the next year. A friend of mine gets his sale plants by gathering the seedlings from his garden in the spring time. |
| Native Site | Central and South America |
| Cultivar Origin | in cultivation since 1820 |
| Misc Facts | Name comes from either the seed pods or the long stamens that resemble dangling spider legs. Take your choice. SYN: Cleome spinosa, AKA: Cleome, Spider Legs, Grandfather's Whiskers |
| Author's Notes | I have never grown the hybrids but have used some of the old standards in gardens. One time I used 4 plants in a triangular space formed by three sidewalks. When it rained the water flowed into this area. The plants became gigantic hanging over the sidewalk and grabbing people as they walked past. The plants produced so many seeds that they were like ball bearing on the sidewalk. Needless to say I got many complaints. Oh well, live and learn!!!! |
| Notes & Reference | #27-Rodale's Annual Gardens (Paul Loewer), #28-Cottage Garden Annuals (Clive Lane), #40-Herbaceous Ornamental Plants (Steven Stills), #109-Annuals and Tender Perennials for North American Gardens (Wayne Winterroud), #145-Plant Lives (Sue Eland) web site |
Cart
