Mauve Queen Cleome is one of the finest spider flowers ever introduced, producing large clusters of soft mauve-pink blossoms held atop tall, graceful stems. The unique flowers feature long, delicate stamens that create an airy, spider-like appearance, making them a standout in borders, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens. Blooming continuously from summer until frost, this heat-loving annual thrives during the hottest months when many other flowers begin to fade.
Garden Uses:
Mauve Queen Cleome is ideal for the back of annual borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, and naturalized plantings. Its tall stature makes it an excellent background plant, while the unusual blooms add texture and movement to flower beds. It is also highly valued as a cut flower, bringing an exotic appearance to fresh arrangements. The plants blend beautifully with zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, and ornamental grasses.
Growing Information:
Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed or start indoors 6-8 weeks before planting time. Seeds germinate in 10-21 days at temperatures of 70-75°F. Plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, Cleome tolerates heat, humidity, and short periods of drought remarkably well. Plants typically reach 36-60 inches tall and spread 18-24 inches wide. Deadheading is generally unnecessary, as plants continue blooming naturally throughout the season.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.