One of my favourite annuals that I grew this year was Cleome spinosa ‘Helen Cambpbell’ (above). Easy to grow from seed and flowering from July until October, I ‘m always surprised that Cleome is not more widely grown. With its spidery flowers similar in size and shape to an Agapanthus, these stunning annuals, growing to about 3ft high, are a wonderful addition to any summer flowering border.
A couple of lessons that I’ve learned this year, is that these plants really do need full sun to grow to their best potential and if you pinch out the main stem, you will not get just one flower, but 12-15 gorgeous flower heads sprouting from side shoots, and a fairly bushy plant to boot.
The first time I saw this plant was at the Chaumont Garden Festival in the Loire in France a few years ago. Back in France this summer again, I had to bring the car to an abrupt halt when I espied this planting outside a Vicarage in Normandy.
Not only white, but pink Cleome also graced this bed, along with generous helpings of Verbena bonariensis. I shall definitely be growing both colours next year. Cleome(spinosa) seeds are available from Chiltern Seeds (in 4 colours, plus 4 other lesser known Cleome varieties) and from Sarah Raven in a selection of pinks and whites too.
Out of my shed 
I’ll tell you why more people don’t grow Cleome – it’s because every pesky critter loves to eat them. Once the slugs had had their fill the caterpillars decided it was their turn – all I was left with was a stalk and a flowerhead. Never again.
Hi Elaine-I did plant Cleome in a few different gardens this year, and all have survived (and indeed flourished), whereas Nicotiana sylvestris planted in the same gardens suffered a similar fate to your Cleome.Right plant, right place? V.best Naomi
They are so beautiful. I tried to grow them once, quite a few years ago. Failed miserably and never tried again. Though, a rethink may be in order for next year! Both are lovely, but I think I prefer the white ones. They look almost like agapanthus flowers.
A lovely bed of these outside St Pauls underground
Hi Naomi, sounds like you had a good time in Normandy! These flowers are gorgeous and seem perfect for my mum – she loves agapanthus and has a very sunny garden. Definitely growing them next year now!
You’re right, Naomi, they’ve been popular in France for ages, especially in the wonderful municipal planting you see all over France… it’s about time they caught on here a bit more
Elaine (I spy in Queen’s Park blog)
Great choice, Naomi! Cleome is a wonderful, reseeding annual that all southern American kids grew up with. Everyone’s grandmother had great patches of it and shared seeds from garden to garden. It would not be summer in the South without the cleome or spider flower as we call it.
Glad you can grow it too. Nothing dares to eat it here.
Ps. I have ordered from Chiltern seeds in the past also. Funny that the only place I can find seeds for my favorite native (Eastern US) beardstongue (smalli) is in the English lake district. They are a wonderful seed company–Christine
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Hi, I live in France and grew these for the first time this year from seed. They have grown well but I did not realise that you should pinch out so they are bushier. Will do this next year.
Hi Lollypop, I think I discovered by a happy accident how many more blooms you’d get by nipping out the main stem. Hope you get loads of gorgeous blooms next year. V.best Naomi
some recommendations with growing from seed would help…soil, watering etc.. I have wild Cleome seeds from northwest Peru and would like to grow at home (in Peru).
how tall should be plant be before pinching? I live in NW Peru and have collected wild seeds and growing at home.