Rocky Mountain Beeplant, Skunkweed, Waa
Native to the western and prairie regions of North America, Cleome serrulata (Rocky Mountain Beeplant) is a fast-growing annual plant boasting showy elongated racemes of pink flowers with long purplish stamens that radiate from each flower and protrude out. The nectar-filled blossoms attract a diverse array of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. They are mostly avoided by livestock. Blooming over a reasonably long period, from late spring until fall, depending on location and elevation, the flowers rise atop branched stems lined with palmately compound leaves. They give way to slender seed capsules, up to 4 in. long (10 cm), that dangle from elongated stalks. The flowers and seed pods can appear on the stem at the same time, which adds to the charm and interest of the plant. Rocky Mountain Beeplant is a sight to behold when growing en masse in its natural environment. It also adds color and dimension to formally landscaped gardens. Cleome serrulata is an important cultural plant for many Southwestern Indian tribes. The young shoots and leaves are good sources of vitamin A and calcium. The Navajo still use the plant as a source of greenish-yellow dye for their lovely wool rugs and blankets. Many pueblo tribes use a concentrated form of dye, made from boiling the plant into a thick black resin, to paint designs on pottery or for decorating their baskets.
| Hardiness |
2 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Plant Family | Cleomaceae |
| Genus | Cleome |
| Common names | Spider Flower, Cleome, Spider Plant |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
| Height | 2' - 5' (60cm - 150cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | California, United States, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Indiana, Missouri, Midwest, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Washington, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Southwest, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, Rocky Mountains, Montana, Colorado |
| Tolerance | Drought |
| Attracts | Bees, Birds, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage |
| Hardiness |
2 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Plant Family | Cleomaceae |
| Genus | Cleome |
| Common names | Spider Flower, Cleome, Spider Plant |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
| Height | 2' - 5' (60cm - 150cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | California, United States, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Indiana, Missouri, Midwest, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Washington, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Southwest, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, Rocky Mountains, Montana, Colorado |
| Tolerance | Drought |
| Attracts | Bees, Birds, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage |
How many Cleome serrulata (Rocky Mountain Beeplant) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Cleome serrulata (Rocky Mountain Beeplant) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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