Spider Flower
Rose Queen Cleome is a stunning heirloom flower that brings bold, airy elegance to summer and fall gardens across zones 2 through 11. This cultivar of Cleome hassleriana grows 3 to 5 feet tall with delicate, spider-like blooms in shades of rose that appear from June through November, reaching full flowering 84 days from seed. Low water needs and genuine drought tolerance make it a low-maintenance powerhouse, while its deer resistance and ability to thrive in full sun ensure reliable performance even in challenging conditions.
18-24 inches apart
Full Sun
Low
2-11
60in H x 18in W
Annual
High
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Rose Queen produces ethereal clusters of rose-colored flowers that attract pollinators throughout the late season, blooming reliably from midsummer into the first frost. Germination is quick and straightforward when started indoors or direct sown, and once established, the plant needs minimal water. This is a flower that works harder than it looks, tolerating drought, deer, and full exposure while rewarding you with months of delicate, airy blooms that seem to float above the foliage.
Rose Queen Cleome is grown as an ornamental flowering plant for summer and fall gardens, prized for its tall, dramatic presence in back-of-border plantings and as a cut flower. The extended bloom period from June through November makes it valuable for sustaining garden color through late season.
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date, keeping soil at 60 to 70°F. To boost germination, chill the seed flat in the refrigerator for 2 weeks before sowing. Sprouts typically emerge within 5 to 30 days.
Transplant seedlings out after your last spring frost date. Harden off plants gradually before moving them to their final location in the garden.
Direct sow seeds 1 to 2 weeks before your last spring frost date. Surface sow and press lightly into soil; light is required for germination.
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