Cleome – Señorita Rosalita^®

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.

Features

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.

Attracts: Birds, Butterflies

Award Winner

Dead-Heading Not Necessary

Heat Tolerant

Maintenance Notes

Unlike other cleome Senorita Rosalita will not self seed, doesn't get bare knees, she isn't sticky and the doesn't have thorns. Her flowers are smaller than classic cleome, but she flowers all over the plant not just at the top. Since she doesn't self seed you don't have to worry about cleome seedlings trying to take over your garden. She is great for adding height to garden beds and had dark green foliage. Deadheading isn't necessary.

For gardeners in the Deep South we have had reports of Seorita Rosalita being attacked by a stem borer. We, with the help of the University of Florida and a great local nurseryman, finally got a pest ID and some information for those of you in impacted areas. The pest is Cabbage Budworm (Hellula phidilealis) and is a member of the moth family. Symptoms of infestation include wilting and death of the tip of each stem, the caterpillar bored into the stem as it develops and spends it's like in the stem until thatching and flying off to infect other plants. You can control the problem with DiPel which is a natural bacterium that the worm ingests and then the bacterium eats the worm. Totally harmless to pets and humans, it can be applied as a dust to your plants on a monthly basis and should persist to prevent future problems. This insect also feeds on all cabbage related crops, like Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli, Chinese mustard, and leafy plants such as bok choy, mizuna, and Collard greens. To our knowledge this pest only occurs in South Florida (Tampa and farther south), but the control of the problem is the same for all areas of the US.

An application of fertilizer or compost on garden beds and regular fertilization of plants in pots will help ensure the best possible performance.

Uses Notes

Use in landscape beds for height or in large planters

Maintenance Category Easy

Water Category Average

Bloom Time

Flower Form Container, Landscape

Soil Fertility Average Soil

pH B - pH 5.8 - 6.2

EC (2:1 Extraction Method) 1 - 2

Fertilization 200 - 300

Light Requirements High

Water Requirements Dry to Moderate

Rooting Out Temperature 65 - 72° Fahrenheit

Growing On Temperature 65 - 72° Fahrenheit

Holding Temperature 50 - 60° Fahrenheit

Planting and Timing Information

Mid-Spring through Summer Finish. Standard PPP.

Finishing Times [weeks]
4-5" and Quart Pot : 5-6
6" and Gallon Pot : 6-8
7-9" Pot : 8-10
10-12" and Two Gallon Pot : 10-12

Pinching and Growth Regulators

Pinch once, two weeks after liner planting. A second pinch may be necessary for large containers. PGRs should not be necessary.

Pest and Disease Management

General pest and disease practices as listed in notes. Take care not to over water. Under high humidity and low light conditions, Oedema (syn. Intumesence) occurs causing small bumps to form on the leaves. It is caused by the roots absorbing more water than the leaves can release. It usually resolves itself within a few weeks when light levels are higher and air circulation is better. '

Powdery Mildew and Pythium may also be problematic.

Good sanitation practices include keeping greenhouses clean at all times, eliminating weeds and debris, disinfecting equipment in greenhouses as often as possible and keeping hose ends off of the greenhouse floor. Good water management practices are critical for good, healthy plant growth.

Grower Tips

Plants can be fertilized at 200 to 300 ppm This type of cleome rarely has Oedema problems