Cleome hassleriana

Il cleome — un'annuale alta e scenografica i cui leggeri capolini rosa, rosé e bianchi sono ornati di lunghi stami sporgenti e sottili silique.
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Cleome hassleriana — the spider flower

Cleome hassleriana is the botanical name for the spider flower, a tall, dramatic annual whose airy heads of pink, rose and white blooms bristle with long, projecting stamens and slender seed pods. It is the species behind our cleome range within the flower seed collection.

History & origin

Native to southern South America, particularly the warm regions of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, cleome was introduced to gardens for its bold, exotic appearance and quickly became a favourite for adding height and a tropical air to summer borders in temperate climates.

The genus name Cleome is of obscure classical origin, while the species epithet hassleriana honours the Swiss-Paraguayan botanist Emil Hassler, who collected extensively in South America.

Botanical characteristics

A vigorous half-hardy annual reaching well over a metre, it carries palmate leaves on tall, slightly spiny stems topped with rounded, ever-rising flower heads, the projecting stamens giving the spidery look. The nectar-rich blooms are excellent for bees, butterflies and night-flying moths, placing it among our pollinator flowers, while its stature makes it a striking back-of-border annual.

Growing Cleome hassleriana from seed

Sow under cover in spring in warmth, as the seed germinates best with heat and benefits from a fluctuating day-night temperature. Prick out, grow on frost-free and plant into full sun and free-draining soil once warm, spacing generously; it thrives in heat and flowers into autumn. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.

Ready to grow spider flowers? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Cleome · Annual Flowers · Pollinator Flowers · Cut Flowers · All Flower Seeds

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Cos'è Cleome hassleriana?
È il nome botanico del fiore ragno, una grande annuale semirustia del Sudamerica coltivata per le sue leggere e soffici infiorescenze rosa, fucsia e bianche. Quando si seminano i semi di cleome?
Semina al chiuso in primavera con calore; la germinazione è favorita dal tepore e dall'alternanza di temperature giorno-notte, poi trapianta all'esterno quando fa caldo. Quanto cresce in altezza?
Oltre un metro, il che la rende un'annuale straordinaria per il retro delle bordure, dove porta altezza, movimento e un tocco tropicale. È utile per gli impollinatori?
Molto — i fiori ricchi di nettare attirano api, farfalle e persino falene notturne per tutta l'estate.