Color Fountain Cleome is a tall, dramatic annual flower that earns its name from the fountain-like clusters of blooms that emerge from late spring through fall frost. Growing 36 to 60 inches tall with an airy, open structure, this heirloom variety thrives in full sun across zones 3 through 11, reaching full flowering in just 84 days from seed. The flowers attract pollinators relentlessly while shrugging off deer pressure and drought, making it a no-fuss addition to gardens that demand visual impact with minimal upkeep.
Full Sun
Low
3-11
60in H x 18in W
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Moderate
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This plant produces the distinctive spidery flower clusters that cleome is famous for, unfurling from summer through fall in zones where most annuals have already faded. Sow seeds directly outdoors just before your last spring frost, or start them indoors six to eight weeks earlier with a two-week chill in the refrigerator to boost germination. Once established, Color Fountain Cleome asks for almost nothing: it handles dry spells gracefully, thrives on sun exposure, and brings hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden without fussing over supplemental feeding or water.
Color Fountain Cleome is grown as an ornamental flower for borders, cutting gardens, and mixed beds where its towering form and long bloom window provide continuous visual interest. The flowers last well in fresh arrangements, extending the garden indoors for weeks at a time.
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Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date, keeping the soil temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. For better germination, chill the seed flat in the refrigerator for 2 weeks before sowing. Surface sow the seeds and press them in lightly, as they require light to germinate. Expect sprouts to appear within 5 to 30 days.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after your last spring frost date, spacing plants 2 inches apart to allow proper air circulation.
Direct sow seeds outdoors 1 to 2 weeks before your last spring frost date. Surface sow and press seeds in lightly; they need light to germinate.
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