Señorita Blanca^® Spider Flower Cleome hybrid

Unlike other cleome, Senorita Blanca will not self-seed, doesn't get bare knees, isn't sticky, and doesn't usually 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 has dark green foliage. Deadheading isn't necessary.

Occasionally, older mature Senorita plants may sometimes have a few spines, but this is uncommon.

For gardeners in the Deep South, we have had reports of Senorita Blanca 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 greats holes in the stem as it develops and spends its 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. Harmless to pets and humans, it can be applied to your plants on a monthly 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.

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.

Senorita Blanca has restored Cleome's reputation. The magnificent dark leaves on my 3-5 feet tall upright branches are topped by clusters of bright 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.