Cleome hasslerana

Spider Flower
Cleome hasslerana
Type: Annual
Exposure: Full Sun
Water: Reguar

No, it doesn’t attract spiders, but it does attract hummingbirds.

This attractive, deer resistant plant self-sows readily, which makes it a great candidate for background planting and for naturalizing at the edges of your garden; while its loose, informal habit makes it a good fit for cottage gardens. The reason the deer don’t like it is that it has short spines on the stems, and maybe also because the leaves and stems are slightly sticky. [I’m not sure, and the deer remain silent on the subject.] In summer through to fall, open clusters of flowers emerge in white, purple, and every shade in between. When mass planted it creates a pleasing pinkish / purplish cloud. The stamens of these flowers are ridiculously long, which is what gave it the name “spider flower.” Thin seed capsules follow the blooms, lending some off-season interest. Good in containers.

Cheers,

John