Cleome flowers, also known as spider flowers, are highly valued in gardens and landscaping due to their tall, showy blooms and unique appearance. Many gardeners wonder if these flowers can be invasive, spreading uncontrollably and causing problems in the garden. The answer is that while cleome plants can self-seed prolifically and even naturalize in some areas, they are generally not considered invasive.
One of the reasons why cleome flowers are not typically invasive is that they rarely persist in undisturbed areas. Unlike some invasive plants that can take over and dominate native ecosystems, cleome plants tend to be more transient and do not establish long-term populations in the wild. This is particularly true in regions where the climate and growing conditions are not ideal for cleome plants.
Another factor that helps prevent cleome flowers from becoming invasive is their reproductive strategy. Cleome plants produce elongate seedpods, which develop below the blooming flowers. These seedpods eventually mature and split open to release small seeds. While this can lead to self-seeding and the potential for new plants to emerge, the seeds are relatively small and not as easily dispersed as those of some invasive plants. This means that cleome plants are less likely to spread over large distances and invade new areas.
In terms of managing cleome flowers in the garden, there are a few steps you can take to prevent them from becoming invasive. First, deadheading the spent blooms can help reduce seed production and limit self-seeding. Simply removing the faded flowers before they have a chance to develop seedpods can help keep the population of cleome plants in check.
Additionally, if you notice a large number of seedlings emerging in your garden, you can easily thin them out by pulling or transplanting the young plants. This can help prevent overcrowding and give the remaining plants more room to grow and thrive.
Personal experience-wise, I have grown cleome flowers in my own garden for several years and have not found them to be invasive. While I do occasionally find seedlings popping up in unexpected places, they are easy to manage and remove if necessary. I have found cleome flowers to be a delightful addition to my garden, adding height and interest to the landscape without causing any invasive issues.
To summarize, cleome flowers are not typically considered invasive. Although they can self-seed and naturalize in some areas, they are generally transient and do not persist in undisturbed areas. Their reproductive strategy, with small seeds that are not easily dispersed, also helps prevent them from spreading over large distances. By deadheading spent blooms and thinning out seedlings if necessary, gardeners can easily manage cleome flowers and enjoy their beauty without worrying about invasiveness.
