About
Cleome spinosa Jacq. is an upright, branching annual that can reach heights of 1.5 meters. Its stems are hairy and armed with spines. The lower leaves feature long petioles and consist of 5 to 7 lanceolate leaflets, each measuring up to 9 centimeters in length, with spiny undersides. The flowers, which have narrow petals and prominent stamens, appear in terminal racemes and bloom from mid- to late summer, showcasing shades from white to pink.
About the genus
Cleome are annual plants characterized by upright stems that support palmately divided foliage. They produce terminal racemes featuring flowers with four petals and prominent stamens.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Cottage and informal garden, Sub-tropical
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Best grown in well-drained soil in a warm, sunny spot
- Pruning
- Deadhead to prolong flowering and prevent self-seeding
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed
- Pest resistance
- Young plants may be susceptible to aphids
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free