How to Grow Spider Flower (Cleome Hasslerana)

Elegant, airy spider flower is a striking plant to put at the back of the border or anyplace you need tall plants. Growing 3 to 6 feet, depending on growing conditions, this annual (grows just one year) has 4-inch clustered flower heads with elongated stamens and long seedpods. It comes in pink, lavender and white.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Garden Spades
• Garden Trowels
• Mulch
• Plants
• Stakes

1. Buy healthy, green plants with no signs of wilting or disease. Plants should be stocky, with plenty of leaves.

2. Choose a site in full sun to partial shade with average to rich soil.

3. Plant seedlings in spring after all danger of frost has passed, spacing them 1 to 2 feet apart. Spider flower looks best in groups of eight or more.

4. Keep soil moist, especially in hot weather. Mulching is a good idea.

5. Stake plants located in windy or shady sites to prevent flopping.

6. Fertilize every six to eight weeks, or work in a slow-release fertilizer (or plenty of compost) at planting time.

7. Tear out and discard plants in fall, after frost fells them.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant shorter, bushier plant varieties in front of spider flower plants to hide their long stalks, which get spindly in late summer.

• Keep spider flower amply watered, especially in late summer. Otherwise, its growth may be stunted and it will flower less.