Beeplant, Rocky Mountain – Cleome serrulata

Description

Rocky Mountain Beeplant

A great pollinator plant!

Rocky Mountain Beeplant (Cleome serrulata) is one of the showiest native annual wildflowers of the western United States, producing tall spikes of vibrant pink to lavender blossoms from midsummer into early fall. The nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for native bees, butterflies, wasps, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators, making this species an outstanding choice for pollinator gardens, wildflower meadows, and habitat restoration projects. Its abundant seeds also provide an important food source for doves and other small birds.

Growing 18 inches to 4 feet tall, Rocky Mountain Beeplant thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, tolerating dry conditions, sandy or loamy soils, and even light shade. It establishes quickly from seed, blooms over a long season, and readily reseeds into bare ground, making it especially valuable for naturalized landscapes and post-fire revegetation.

Native throughout much of western North America, this remarkable wildflower has a rich cultural history. Collected during the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804, it was long cultivated by Indigenous peoples, who valued it as a nutritious food source, medicinal plant, and natural dye. With its striking flowers, exceptional pollinator value, and adaptability to challenging growing conditions, Rocky Mountain Beeplant is an excellent addition to native landscapes and water-wise gardens.

Quick Specs

• Origin: Native
• Type: Annual
• Color: Pink
• Height: 18 inches to 4 feet
• Width/spread: 6-8 inches
• Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade
• Water: Dry to Medium 
• Bloom Season: July- August
• Planting Time: Spring or fall
• Zones: 3b-7b
• Regions: Western U.S. along dry roadsides and waste places.
• Use: Back of borders, pollinator gardens, meadows & cottage gardens.
• Attracts: Butterflies, bees, birds, wasps & hummingbirds.
• Packet weight: 1 gram
• Seeds per packet: 60 seeds approx.