The large flowers blooming on top of the stems of these plants have an appropriate name as they appear "spider-like!" This plant is excellent in a cottage or Victorian-type garden and makes great cut flowers. Some varieties of spiderflower can be started by simply scattering seeds in the flower bed; in fact, some varieties keep giving year after year as they seed prolifically! A newer cultivar, Cleome 'Senorita Rosalita' has large purple flowers on top of a 3' tall by 2 1/2' wide plant, is sterile, and can only be propagated by vegetative cuttings. Therefore, if one doesn't like the "take-over factor" that comes with many of the self-seeding cleomes, this one works quite well. Flower colors are pink, white, and purple and bloom continually all summer. 'Sparkler Mix' has a blend of these colors on compact 2-3' tall plants

Blanketflower is a great plant for hot, tough locations and is beginning to bloom in central Ohio. The large daisy-like flowers are often a combination of hot colors (red, yellow) and appear in early June and last for around 3 weeks. These plants tolerate hot dry soils and tend to be short-lived in moist, fertile soils. Heights are anywhere from 8-24" and widths are 12-24" depending upon the cultivar. Plant them in masses or groups in borders in full sun; they also tolerate light-shade. Common cultivars include 'Dazzler' (bright orange flowers with yellow tips, 24-30" tall), 'Goblin' (red flowers with yellow tips, 12-15" tall), and 'Baby Cole' (maroon flowers with yellow tips, 8-10" tall). Plants should be deadheaded (dead flowers removed) as needed to prolong blooming. Divide plants every 2-3 years for best growth