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Spider's Legs Cleome houtteana

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'
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#pink flowers#low maintenance#fall interest#rabbit resistant#moist soil#fast growing#well-drained soil#summer flowers#deer resistant#self-seeding#fantz#sticky#leggy#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#stormwater demo garden orange co#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Sparkler Mix'
'Sparkler Mix'
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#pink flowers#low maintenance#fall interest#rabbit resistant#moist soil#fast growing#well-drained soil#summer flowers#deer resistant#self-seeding#fantz#sticky#leggy#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#stormwater demo garden orange co#annual
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Elongate, cylindrical 2-valved fruit filled with numerous seeds
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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