Cleome Companion Plants That Will Make Your Garden Pop

Cleome Companion Plants That Will Make Your Garden POP

Cleome, also known as spider flower, is a tall, colorful annual that blooms from late spring to early fall. With its delicate, feathery flowers and airy foliage, cleome is a striking addition to any garden. But did you know that cleome can also benefit from being planted alongside other companion plants?

In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the best companion plants for cleome. We'll also talk about how these plants can help each other thrive, and how you can choose the right companion plants for your own garden.

Why Use Companion Planting?

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting certain plants together to benefit each other. Companion plants can help to improve each other's growth, deter pests and diseases, and attract beneficial insects.

There are many different benefits to using companion planting. Some of the most common benefits include:

• Improved growth: Companion plants can help to improve each other's growth by providing nutrients, shade, or support. For example, cleome can benefit from being planted alongside tall plants like sunflowers or corn, which can provide it with some shade during the hot summer months.
• Deterrent to pests and diseases: Companion plants can help to deter pests and diseases by releasing chemicals that repel them. For example, marigolds are known to repel nematodes, which can be a problem for many garden plants.
• Attraction of beneficial insects: Companion plants can attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which can help to control pests. For example, cleome is a favorite nectar source for bees and butterflies, which can help to pollinate other plants in your garden.

Choosing Companion Plants for Cleome

When choosing companion plants for cleome, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, consider the size of the plants. Cleome can grow up to 6 feet tall, so you'll need to choose companion plants that are not too tall or they will shade out the cleome. Second, consider the sunlight requirements of the plants. Cleome needs full sun, so you'll need to choose companion plants that also prefer full sun. Finally, consider the purpose of the companion planting. Are you looking for plants that will deter pests, attract beneficial insects, or improve the growth of the cleome?

Some Good Companion Plants for Cleome

Here are some good companion plants for cleome:

• Sunflowers: Sunflowers are tall plants that can provide shade for cleome during the hot summer months. They also attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings.
• Corn: Corn is a tall plant that can provide support for cleome. It also helps to improve the soil quality around the cleome.
• Marigolds: Marigolds are known to repel nematodes, which can be a problem for many garden plants. They also attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings.
• Zinnia: Zinnias are colorful flowers that can help to brighten up your garden. They also attract beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies.
• Verbena: Verbena is a low-growing plant that can help to fill in the spaces around the cleome. It also attracts beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies.

Conclusion

Cleome is a beautiful and versatile plant that can add a pop of color to any garden. By planting cleome with the right companion plants, you can help it to thrive and attract beneficial insects. So next time you're planning your garden, be sure to consider adding some cleome and its companion plants.

Cleome, also known as spider flower, is a beautiful annual plant that can add a touch of drama to any garden. With its tall, airy blooms and feathery foliage, cleome is a great choice for attracting pollinators and adding visual interest to your landscape.

But did you know that cleome can also benefit from being planted alongside other companion plants? Some good cleome companion plants include:

• Lettuce: Cleome's tall stature provides dappled shade for lettuce plants, which can help to prevent them from bolting in hot weather.
• Cabbage: Cleome's flowers attract beneficial insects that help to control cabbage pests, such as cabbage worms and aphids.
• Marigolds: Marigolds' strong scent helps to repel nematodes, which can damage cleome roots.
• Verbena: Verbena and cleome have similar growing conditions and can be planted together to create a colorful and visually appealing border.
• Artemisia: Artemisia's silvery foliage helps to offset cleome's bright blooms, creating a striking contrast.

For more information about cleome companion plants, please visit Gardenia Inspiration. This website provides detailed information about the benefits of planting cleome with other plants, as well as a list of specific companion plants that are compatible with cleome.

FAQ of cleome companion plants

1. What are the best companion plants for cleome?

Cleome is a tall, flowering plant that can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 3-10. It is a member of the legume family, and as such, it can fix nitrogen in the soil. This makes it a good companion plant for other plants that require nitrogen, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Cleome can also help to attract beneficial insects, such as butterflies and bees, which can help to pollinate other plants in your garden. Some other good companion plants for cleome include:

* Zinnias
* Marigolds
* Cosmos
* Salvia
* Gomphrena

2. Can I plant cleome in a container?

Yes, you can plant cleome in a container. However, it is important to choose a container that is large enough for the plant to grow. Cleome can grow up to 6 feet tall, so you will need a container that is at least 20 inches deep and 24 inches wide. You will also need to make sure that the container has drainage holes to prevent the roots from rotting. When planting cleome in a container, use a well-draining potting mix and add a layer of compost to the bottom of the container. Water the plant regularly and fertilize it every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.

3. What are some pests and diseases that can affect cleome?

Cleome is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but it can be susceptible to a few problems. One common problem is spider mites, which can cause the leaves of the plant to turn yellow and wilt. You can control spider mites with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Another problem that can affect cleome is powdery mildew, which can cause white spots to appear on the leaves of the plant. You can prevent powdery mildew by watering the plant in the morning so that the leaves have time to dry before nightfall. If powdery mildew does occur, you can treat it with a fungicide.

4. When should I plant cleome?

Cleome can be planted from seed or from transplants. If you are planting from seed, you should sow the seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. If you are planting transplants, you can plant them outdoors after the last frost date. Cleome plants will flower from midsummer to fall.

5. How do I deadhead cleome?

Deadheading cleome is important to keep the plant blooming. To deadhead cleome, simply pinch off the spent blooms. You can also cut the entire flower stalk back to the base of the plant. Deadheading will encourage the plant to produce more blooms.

Image of cleome companion plants

5 different images of cleome companion plants from Pinterest:

• Zinnia: Zinnias and cleome are both annuals that bloom in the summer. They have similar flower shapes and colors, so they look great planted together. Zinnias can help to attract pollinators to the cleome plants.
• Sunflower: Sunflowers and cleome are both tall plants that can add height and drama to a garden. They bloom at different times of the year, so you can enjoy them in your garden for a long period of time.
• Lavender: Lavender and cleome have a similar Mediterranean climate, so they can be planted together in gardens that receive full sun. Lavender's fragrant flowers can help to mask the scent of cleome's unpleasant odor.
• Salvia: Salvia and cleome both have long blooming periods, so they can provide color and interest in your garden for many months. Salvia's blue flowers can help to complement the pink or white flowers of cleome.
• Verbena: Verbena and cleome are both heat-tolerant plants that can be planted in gardens that receive full sun. Verbena's small flowers can help to fill in the spaces between the larger flowers of cleome.