Spider Flower, also known as Cleome, is a beautiful and versatile plant that adds interest to any garden or landscape. One of the great things about Spider Flower is its ability to spread and fill in spaces, creating a lush and full look.
When it comes to spreading, Spider Flower is quite vigorous. It can reach heights of 3-6 ft. (90-180 cm) and spread outwards up to 12-18 in. This makes it an excellent choice for filling in gaps between other plants or for creating a dense border.
I have personally witnessed the spreading nature of Spider Flower in my own garden. I initially planted a few Spider Flower plants along a fence line, and within a few seasons, they had spread and filled in the entire area. It was a pleasant surprise to see how quickly they established themselves and created a beautiful backdrop for my other plants.
One of the reasons Spider Flower is such a good spreader is its ability to self-sow. As the plant matures and produces flowers, it also produces seed pods. These pods eventually dry out and burst open, scattering seeds in the surrounding area. This natural self-sowing mechanism allows Spider Flower to spread and colonize new areas.
However, it’s important to note that Spider Flower is not considered invasive. While it can spread readily in favorable conditions, it is not known to aggressively take over or outcompete other plants. This makes it an ideal choice for gardeners who want a plant that spreads but doesn’t become a nuisance.
To control the spread of Spider Flower, you can simply remove the seed pods before they have a chance to burst open. This can be done by snipping off the entire seed pod stem once the flowers have faded. By doing this, you can prevent the plant from self-sowing and spreading too far.
Spider Flower, or Cleome, is a fantastic plant for those looking to add height and interest to their garden. It spreads readily but is not invasive, making it a great choice for filling in gaps or creating borders. Its self-sowing nature allows it to establish itself in new areas, but this can be controlled by removing seed pods. Spider Flower is a beautiful and versatile plant that can bring joy and beauty to any garden or landscape.
