Plant Size:
Height: 150
Spread: 45

The spider flower (Cleome hassleriana) is a tall-growing, frost-tender annual that makes a spectacular and striking display of unusually shaped large flower heads from early to mid-summer until the autumn. The flower heads are made up of many small blooms that are white, pink, or purple-pink, with long, conspicuous stamens that give the flowers their whiskery or ‘spidery’ appearance. Blooms are borne on tall, upright stems up to 1.5m high, the stems are often spiny and are clothed with attractive mid green palmate leaves. Flowers are scented, and attractive to bees and butterflies. This annual makes a splendid ‘dot’ plant to add height to a mixture of summer flowers, or in a border to add colour and height amongst long-lived plants. Cleome also makes a good cut flower. Despite its exotic looks, this sun-loving half-hardy annual is straightforward to grow from seed.

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How to grow cleome

Sow cleome seed in warmth in early spring and grow on in a warm well-lit spot under cover before hardening off and planting out after the frosts. Water during dry spells and feed to boost flowering. Plants may need staking to protect against wind.


Where to grow cleome

Cleome growing in a pot
Cleome growing with cordyline

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