Cleome Cleome houtteana
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cleome hassleriana
- Cleome spinosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- klay-OH-me hoot-AH-na
- Description
-
Cleome is a tall, somewhat spiky-looking plant with spidery flowers of pink, purple and white combinations. It prefers sun but will tolerate light shade and well-drained soil with consistent moisture through the growing season. It is very effective at the back of the flower bed or against a fence but benefits from lower growing annuals planted in front to hide bare stems and provide support. It attracts birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies. The plant re-seeds freely but is not considered invasive. This plant is seldom damaged by deer or rabbits. Cleome has a musky fragrance which some may find unpleasant, It is attractive as a cut flower but is short-lived once picked.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Sparkler Mix'
- 'Sparkler Mix'
- 'Sparkler Mix'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Sparkler Mix'
- 'Sparkler Mix'
- 'Sparkler Mix'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cleome
- Species:
- houtteana
- Family:
- Cleomaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Brazil to Northern Argentina
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts many varieties of pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Elongate, cylindrical 2-valved fruit filled with numerous seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Each 1–1½” wide individual flower on a 2-inch pedicel has 4 reflexed light green sepals, 4 clawed petals and 6 erect to spreading stamens that grow to 3-inches long with yellow-orange anthers giving it a spidery look.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- The lower and middle leaves are palmately compound with 5-7 leaflets and 6-8 inches long with tapered bases. Both surfaces are covered with hairs. The upper leaves are simple and smaller and are either sessile (no stem) or clasping to the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Hairy stems with a pair of spiny stipules at the base of each leaf petiole
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Humidity
- Rabbits
