Rocky Mountain Bee Plant

[pondlady]

I stoped the other day to admire these stately plants, I see that they weregoing to seeds so I helped myself to some of them, Anyone grow them? or want to try? I have some seeds and can get more very easy. I am going to grow some along an old fence will look awesome.

[GeorgiaGirl]

They sound lovely! I need to look them up to see if they'll grow here, but if they do, I'd love to get a few seeds from you! Any seeds you're interested in getting in return? (I have mainly wildflowers from store-bought seed packets and a few herbs...)

[rainbowgardener]

I hadn't heard of it (probably because it doesn't grow out here east of the Mississippi), but it is a native variety of cleome. Very pretty!

Here's a couple interesting articles about the plant and its uses. Seeds and leaves are edible.

https://www.fws.gov/rockymountainarsenal/habitat/native/wildflowers/rocky.htm
https://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/htm/rocky-mountain-beeplant/

The seeds have a relatively low germination rate and it helps to moist stratify them before planting (put it between damp paper towels in a ziplock baggie for a few days). Like other cleomes, these seeds need temp variation between day and night to germinate, so easier to do outdoors than in. They may take a couple weeks to germinate, so be patient.

[pondlady]

I would bet they used to be all across the good old USA. They have a long history with the Native American people. I can see why they have low germination! they make Hundreds of seeds per plant. I can send some if you would like to try them. I am going to do like Mother Nature intended and plant them out this fall. PM me for some seeds.