Cleomes (spider flowers) have been around for a long time. But there was talk. Thorns. Sticky leaves and stems. There were even Cleomes, some whispered, that smelled like s-k-u-n-k. Unless they were deadheaded, the varieties with seed pods looked sad. For others if the temperature rose above 100 degrees there were no more flowers and the bottom leaves, they shriveled and fell off. 

Now I, Senorita Rosalita have restored Cleome’s reputation. The magnificent dark leaves on my 3-5 feet tall upright branches are topped by clusters of bright, lavender pink flowers. And they bloom with abandon from late spring through fall. I scoff at heat, and renounce all thorns and sticky substances. Deadheading is no more. All I ask is that you plant me in full sun in a place where water drains freely through the soil. Grow me, and should you ever smell a certain aroma, at least you will know it is not I that am the source.