Cleome hassleriana Sparkler 2.0 Purple - Spider flower

The Cleome Sparkler 2.0 Purple is a variety from the Sparkler 2.0 series, with improved performance. Its flowers of a rich purple blossom on a plant with a more compact and more ramified habit, allowing for increased flower production. Its well-bushy habit looks beautiful in flower beds, but also in romantic pots where its spider-like flowering topped with prominent stamens expresses all its refinement. This fast-growing annual plant loves sun and heat. It is easy to grow in any fresh and light soil.

The Cleome Sparkler 2.0 Purple comes from a less hardy plant native to subtropical regions of South America called Cleome hassleriana. It is a cousin of the cep, both belonging to the Capparaceae family, and it is naturalized in other parts of the world, in fallow lands and on low-altitude slopes. The Sparkler 2.0 Purple selection quickly forms a bushy clump that reaches 70 cm (28in) in height and 50-60 cm (20-24in) in width. On fairly rough stems, but without thorns, large dark green palmate leaves unfold, divided into 5 to 7 acerose leaflets with long petioles. Its flowering period is particularly long, starting in May and continuing until October. The inflorescences are unique, remarkable for their architecture and lightness. The flowers are long-petioled, grouped in terminal spikes that are somewhat fuzzy and slightly fragrant. Each flower consists of 4 petals tapering into pedicels at their base, with very long stamens and styles that extend well beyond the corolla, resembling egret feathers. The flowers develop and bloom one after the other, from the bottom to the top of the inflorescence, in a rich purple color.

Cleome fruits are also unique; they are long slender pods, 6 to 12 cm (2 to 5in) long, hanging from the petioles. Sometimes, flowers and fruits can be observed on the same plant. It is the appearance of these fruits that earned Cleome the name of spider plant or spider flower: the numerous siliques resemble the legs of a spider.

Cleomes are among the most beautiful annual flowers. For a beautiful effect, plant the Cleome Sparkler 2.0 in the middle of a flower bed, along with pennisetums or Perovskias, for example. Planted in groups, or with other tall summer flowers like cosmos, Buenos Aires verbena, poppies, or delphiniums, they provide thickness and a lot of lightness. This compact variety does not require staking and allows for beautiful flowering pots.

Note: Please be aware that our young plants in plug trays are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under shelter (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before being installed outdoors once the risk of frost has definitively passed.