PlantFiles: Spider Flower, Spider Legs, Grandfather's Whiskers, Cleome
Cleome hassleriana 'Sparkler Blush'

These things grow like weeds, flowering prolifically and reseeding themselves every year. We have some in the full sun, where they thrive as described above. I've tried some in a fairly shady woodland that gets periodic sun, and they are growing but not thriving, producing only a few weak flowers. Some of those in the woods were planted from 4" seedlings; initially they just collapsed and looked like they'd not survive, but with watering they have recovered and are now healthy-looking small plants.

I love this plant. It gives off a rather "interesting" scent. You will either love or not. As soon as you touch its stems the scent gets more intense. It's almost like its protecting itself.

I grow it indoors in my office. It was not suppose to grow at all. The seeds came from the dollar store as a joke. Now she is six feet tall living in a window box. I have to water her everyday or she fades with thirst.

If you grow from seed it takes some time to germinate. These took 3 months. (Could be the brand) The results were well worth the wait.

I actually bought 3 seedlings 20 years ago: one white, one pink, one rose.

Since then, I have had a constant supply of both seeds and seedlings true to the original 3 colors. Rose has been the least prolific, white the most. Once the plant begins to bloom it blooms non stop as it grows taller until frost. Humingbirds love it! As the bloom progresses at the top of each stem thin "bean-like" seed pods will form behind. The plant grows up to 5' tall for me in zone 6A. Seems to prefer moist conditions and full sun for optimum bloom and color. Blooms are prettiest in the morning sun.

Easily self sows to the point of being invasive, controlable with thining. Wear gloves if you thin older plants as they develop soft yet painful thorns along the stems as they mature.

Thin or transplant babies 3-5 feet apart in the back of the border. Although cleome looks lovely at a distance, I keep mine close to watch the action of the hummingbirds and bees.