Cleome
Cleome
Cleome hassleriana
Also known as: spider flower
- Annuals Beds and Borders
Spider Flower (Cleome hassleriana) is a fast-growing annual flower featuring bright, white to pink-purple showy blooms. This drought-tolerant flower can self-seed itself and grows to around two feet tall. Spider flower's long, thin petals give it an appearance of a spider, hence its name. The blooms can last until the first frost and attract a wide variety of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It's an ideal choice for gardeners who want to add interest and beauty to their landscape. With vibrant, eye-catching blooms and easy maintenance, Spider Flower is an excellent addition to any garden.
Care guides
Watering
Spider flower should be watered about once a week, using approximately 1 inch of water. During the summer months the plant should receive more frequent watering, about 2 to 3 times a week, to ensure the soil does not dry out. When watering, the soil should be thoroughly moistened. When watering in the winter months, it is best to reduce watering frequency and allow the soil to become somewhat dry before giving it another drink.
Sunlight
Spider flower plants need full sun to partial shade to grow and bloom. They should be in a spot that gets 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. For the best blooms and healthiest plants, it is best to plant spider flower in a location that receives full sun all day long. If the location does not get full sun all day, it is recommended that the plant gets morning sun and afternoon shade.
Pruning
Spider flower (Cleome hassleriana) should be pruned as soon as its flowering season has finished and should be pruned back to 8 to 10 inches from the ground. It’s best to do a light pruning of the stems, removing any dead or weak stalks and seed pods, while ensuring not to cut off healthy buds or blooms that are still growing. Doing this kind of pruning will encourage healthier and bushier growth for the following season.