Cleome Seed ( Annual )

Queen Mix Cleome is a spectacular blend of tall spider flowers featuring an elegant range of pink, rose, lavender, violet, mauve, and white blooms. This premium mixture combines the best colors of the famous Queen series into one breathtaking display. The large flower clusters sit atop sturdy stems and are accented by long, graceful stamens that give Cleome its distinctive spider-like appearance. Blooming continuously from midsummer until frost, Queen Mix delivers months of color, height, and pollinator activity while thriving through heat and humidity that challenge many other annual flowers.

Seedman Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars)

Garden Uses:
Queen Mix is ideal for the back of flower borders, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, pollinator plantings, and cutting gardens. The mixture creates a colorful tapestry of blooms that adds both height and texture to the landscape. Plants are especially effective when grown in groups or drifts, where their airy flower heads create a cloud-like effect above neighboring flowers. They pair beautifully with cosmos, zinnias, sunflowers, salvias, marigolds, and ornamental grasses.

Growing Information:
Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed or start indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting. Germination generally occurs within 10-21 days at temperatures of 70-75°F. Plants prefer full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Once established, Cleome exhibits excellent tolerance to heat, humidity, and temporary drought conditions. Plants typically grow 36-60 inches tall and spread 18-24 inches wide. Deadheading is generally unnecessary, as flower spikes continue producing new blooms throughout the season.

Pollinator Value:
Queen Mix is among the finest annual flowers for attracting pollinators. Honeybees, native bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and numerous beneficial insects are drawn to the nectar-rich flowers. Because the plants bloom continuously for months, they provide a valuable and dependable nectar source throughout the growing season.

Historical Significance:
Cleome hassleriana is native to South America, particularly Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil, and northern Argentina. The species became highly popular during the Victorian gardening era due to its exotic flower structure and dramatic garden presence. Gardeners appreciated its ability to provide height and color without requiring extensive care, making it a favorite in both formal and cottage-style plantings.

Interesting Facts:

• The common name "Spider Flower" refers to the long stamens that extend from each blossom like delicate spider legs.
• Flower spikes continue elongating upward while producing new blooms below, resulting in an exceptionally long flowering season.
• Cleome is one of the most heat-tolerant annual flowers available.
• The fragrant foliage tends to discourage browsing by deer and rabbits.
• Plants often self-sow lightly in favorable growing conditions.
• The flowers create a floating, airy appearance that adds movement and softness to garden designs.
• Victorian gardeners frequently used Cleome in large drifts to create dramatic summer displays.

Seedman Notes:
Queen Mix offers all the beauty and garden performance that have made Cleome a longtime favorite among gardeners. The wide range of flower colors creates a constantly changing display while maintaining the elegant form that distinguishes spider flowers from other annuals. Few plants offer such a combination of height, color, pollinator attraction, and low-maintenance performance. This mixture is especially valuable for gardeners seeking maximum visual impact from a single planting.

Quick Facts:

• Botanical Name: Cleome hassleriana
• Common Name: Queen Mix Spider Flower
• Plant Type: Annual
• Height: 36-60 inches
• Spread: 18-24 inches
• Flower Colors: Pink, Rose, Lavender, Violet, Mauve, and White Mix
• Bloom Season: Summer Through Frost
• Sun Requirements: Full Sun
• Water Needs: Moderate
• Drought Tolerance: Good Once Established
• Pollinator Friendly: Excellent
• Deer Resistance: Moderate
• Cut Flower Use: Excellent
• Attracts: Butterflies, Bees, Hummingbirds, and Beneficial Insects

Violet Queen Cleome is a magnificent heirloom spider flower that produces large clusters of rich violet-purple blossoms atop tall, elegant stems. The exotic flowers feature long, graceful stamens that extend outward like delicate spider legs, creating a light and airy appearance unlike any other annual flower. Blooming continuously from midsummer until frost, Violet Queen thrives in hot weather and provides months of vibrant color when many other flowers begin to fade. Its dramatic height and unique flower structure make it one of the most striking plants in the summer garden.

Seedman Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars)

Garden Uses:
Violet Queen is ideal for the back of annual borders, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, pollinator plantings, and cutting gardens. Its tall stature creates a beautiful vertical accent, while the vivid violet blooms provide outstanding contrast against lighter-colored flowers. It combines beautifully with cosmos, zinnias, sunflowers, salvias, ornamental grasses, and other summer annuals. The long-lasting flowers are also excellent for fresh-cut arrangements.

Growing Information:
Sow seeds directly outdoors after danger of frost has passed or start indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting. Germination typically occurs within 10-21 days at temperatures of 70-75°F. Plants perform best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Once established, Cleome exhibits excellent tolerance to heat, humidity, and short periods of drought. Plants typically reach 36-60 inches tall and spread 18-24 inches wide. Little maintenance is required beyond occasional watering during extended dry periods.

Pollinator Value:
Violet Queen is highly attractive to pollinators throughout its long flowering season. Bees, butterflies, swallowtails, skippers, and hummingbirds frequently visit the nectar-rich blooms. Because flowering continues from summer into fall, Cleome provides an important food source during periods when many other annuals have completed their bloom cycle.

Historical Significance:
Cleome hassleriana originates from South America, particularly Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil, and northern Argentina. It gained popularity in European and American gardens during the Victorian era, when exotic ornamental plants were highly sought after. Its unusual flower form and impressive height made it a favorite in formal estate gardens and cottage plantings alike. Today, it remains one of the most beloved heirloom annual flowers.

Interesting Facts:

• The common name "Spider Flower" comes from the long stamens that resemble spider legs extending from each bloom.
• Individual flower spikes continue growing upward while producing new flowers below for many weeks.
• Cleome often self-sows lightly, providing volunteer plants in favorable garden locations.
• The fragrant foliage tends to discourage browsing by deer and rabbits.
• Plants perform exceptionally well during periods of intense summer heat.
• The flowers open progressively from the bottom of the flower stalk upward, extending bloom time significantly.
• Victorian gardeners often planted Cleome in large drifts to create a cloud-like effect in summer gardens.

Seedman Notes:
Violet Queen is one of the most dramatic Cleome varieties we offer. The rich violet coloration stands out beautifully in mixed flower plantings and creates an elegant display throughout the summer season. Few annual flowers provide such impressive height, exceptional pollinator value, and long-lasting blooms with so little maintenance. Gardeners seeking an old-fashioned favorite with modern performance will find Violet Queen to be an outstanding addition to their landscape.

Quick Facts:

• Botanical Name: Cleome hassleriana
• Common Name: Violet Queen Spider Flower
• Plant Type: Annual
• Height: 36-60 inches
• Spread: 18-24 inches
• Flower Color: Rich Violet-Purple
• Bloom Season: Summer Through Frost
• Sun Requirements: Full Sun
• Water Needs: Moderate
• Drought Tolerance: Good Once Established
• Pollinator Friendly: Excellent
• Deer Resistance: Moderate
• Cut Flower Use: Excellent
• Attracts: Butterflies, Bees, and Hummingbirds

White Queen Cleome is a stunning heirloom spider flower that produces large clusters of pure white blossoms atop tall, elegant stems. The pristine flowers are accented by long, graceful stamens that extend outward, creating the distinctive spider-like appearance that has made Cleome a favorite in gardens for generations. Blooming continuously from midsummer until frost, White Queen brings brightness, elegance, and architectural interest to the landscape while thriving in heat and humidity that challenge many other annual flowers.

Seedman Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars)

Garden Uses:
White Queen is ideal for the back of flower borders, moon gardens, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, and cutting gardens. Its pure white blooms provide a cooling contrast to brightly colored flowers and blend beautifully with nearly any garden palette. The tall plants create dramatic vertical accents while adding an airy, graceful texture to the landscape. White Queen pairs especially well with purple salvias, blue ageratum, pink cosmos, and colorful zinnias. The flowers are also excellent for fresh-cut arrangements.

Growing Information:
Sow seeds directly outdoors after danger of frost has passed or start indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting. Germination typically occurs within 10-21 days at temperatures of 70-75°F. Plants perform best in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, Cleome exhibits excellent heat, humidity, and drought tolerance. Plants generally reach 36-60 inches tall and spread 18-24 inches wide. Flower spikes continue producing blooms throughout the season with little maintenance required.

Pollinator Value:
White Queen is highly attractive to butterflies, honeybees, native bees, hummingbirds, and numerous beneficial insects. The nectar-rich flowers provide a dependable food source from summer through fall. Evening pollinators may also visit the bright white blooms, making White Queen particularly valuable in wildlife-friendly gardens.

Historical Significance:
Cleome hassleriana originates from South America, including Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil, and northern Argentina. White-flowered selections became particularly popular during the Victorian gardening era, where they were often incorporated into formal gardens and moon gardens designed for evening enjoyment. Their elegant appearance and easy culture helped establish Cleome as a classic ornamental annual throughout Europe and North America.

Interesting Facts:

• The common name "Spider Flower" comes from the long stamens that extend outward from each bloom like spider legs.
• White flowers remain highly visible in twilight and moonlight gardens.
• Flower spikes continue growing taller while producing new blossoms for weeks.
• Cleome is among the most heat-tolerant annual flowers available.
• Plants often self-sow lightly in favorable growing conditions.
• The aromatic foliage helps deter deer and rabbit browsing.
• The flowers create a floating, cloud-like effect above neighboring garden plants.

Seedman Notes:
White Queen is one of the most elegant Cleome varieties available. The pure white flowers provide a refined appearance while maintaining all the vigor, durability, and pollinator value for which Cleome is famous. Whether planted in mixed borders, moon gardens, or large drifts, White Queen delivers months of graceful beauty with minimal care. Its combination of height, flower production, and adaptability makes it a valuable addition to any annual flower garden.

Quick Facts:

• Botanical Name: Cleome hassleriana
• Common Name: White Queen Spider Flower
• Plant Type: Annual
• Height: 36-60 inches
• Spread: 18-24 inches
• Flower Color: Pure White
• Bloom Season: Summer Through Frost
• Sun Requirements: Full Sun
• Water Needs: Moderate
• Drought Tolerance: Good Once Established
• Pollinator Friendly: Excellent
• Deer Resistance: Moderate
• Cut Flower Use: Excellent
• Special Use: Moon Gardens and Evening Displays

Rocky Mountain Beeplant is a beautiful native annual wildflower valued for its tall stems, airy pink to lavender flower clusters, and outstanding attraction to bees and other pollinators. Also known as Cleome serrulata, this rugged North American species thrives in open sunny sites and brings a natural prairie-and-meadow look to gardens, wildflower plantings, roadside mixes, and habitat areas. The blossoms have the delicate spider-flower form typical of Cleome, with graceful petals and long stamens that give each flower head a light, shimmering appearance.

Seedman Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars)

Garden Uses:
Rocky Mountain Beeplant is excellent for wildflower gardens, native plantings, pollinator gardens, meadow areas, prairie restorations, and informal borders. Its loose, upright habit makes it especially useful for naturalistic plantings where height, movement, and pollinator activity are desired. It looks beautiful planted in drifts with blanket flower, black-eyed Susan, prairie coneflower, cosmos, yarrow, and native grasses. Because of its strong wildlife value and long bloom period, it is also a fine choice for bee gardens and beneficial insect plantings.

Growing Information:
Sow seeds directly outdoors in fall or early spring, or plant after danger of frost has passed. Fall sowing often improves germination in many climates, as the seeds benefit from natural winter conditions. For spring planting, a short period of cold stratification may improve results. Sow seeds shallowly, covering lightly with soil, and keep evenly moist until germination begins. Plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil, but they are adaptable and can perform well in sandy, gravelly, or disturbed soils once established. Rocky Mountain Beeplant typically grows 24-48 inches tall, with taller plants possible in favorable conditions. Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant and requires little care.

Pollinator Value:
Rocky Mountain Beeplant is one of the most valuable native annuals for bees, which is reflected in its common name. The nectar-rich flowers attract honeybees, native bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and many beneficial insects. It is especially useful in habitat plantings because it blooms over a long summer period and provides dependable forage during hot weather. In some regions, it is considered an important wildflower for supporting pollinator populations in dry western landscapes.

Historical Significance:
Rocky Mountain Beeplant has a long history of use among Native American peoples of the western United States. Various tribes used parts of the plant as a potherb, medicinal plant, dye plant, and ceremonial resource. The seeds were sometimes gathered for food, while the plant was also known for producing pigments used in traditional coloring. Its presence across the Great Plains, Rocky Mountain region, and western North America made it a familiar and useful wildflower long before it became appreciated as an ornamental garden plant.

Interesting Facts:

• Rocky Mountain Beeplant is native to much of western and central North America.
• The flowers are especially attractive to bees, making it one of the best annual wildflowers for pollinator gardens.
• The plant is adapted to open, sunny, and often dry environments.
• It can grow well in disturbed soils, making it useful for naturalizing and restoration-style plantings.
• Flower color may range from pink and rose to lavender or pale purple.
• The long stamens give the blooms the familiar spider-flower appearance associated with Cleome.
• Native peoples historically used the plant for food, medicine, and dye.
• It may self-sow in favorable garden conditions, helping maintain a natural wildflower display from year to year.

Seedman Notes:
Rocky Mountain Beeplant is a wonderful selection for gardeners who want beauty, history, and pollinator value in one easy-to-grow native annual. It is not as formal-looking as the Queen series Cleomes, but that is part of its charm. This species brings a natural meadow quality to the garden and is especially valuable where bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects are welcome. For native plantings, wildflower mixes, and low-maintenance sunny areas, Rocky Mountain Beeplant is an outstanding choice.

Quick Facts:

• Botanical Name: Cleome serrulata
• Common Name: Rocky Mountain Beeplant
• Plant Type: Native Annual Wildflower
• Height: 24-48 inches
• Spread: 12-24 inches
• Flower Color: Pink, Rose, Lavender, or Purple
• Bloom Season: Summer to Early Fall
• Sun Requirements: Full Sun
• Soil Preference: Well-Drained, Sandy, Gravelly, or Average Garden Soil
• Water Needs: Low to Moderate Once Established
• Drought Tolerance: Good Once Established
• Pollinator Friendly: Excellent
• Native Range: Western and Central North America
• Garden Style: Wildflower, Meadow, Prairie, Native, and Pollinator Gardens
• Self-Sowing: May Self-Sow in Favorable Conditions