Cleome, Rose Queen

Cleomes are part of a large family of robust annuals and shrubs which are indigenous to tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Only a few of the annuals are commonly cultivated. It is believed that the plant from which Cleome Rose Queen was developed came originally from the West Indies and was introduced into the United States in 1817. The Latin name of this plant was Capparidaceae Hassleriana. The plant gained almost immediate popularity because of the extraordinary blossoms it produced on top of the nearly 4-5 foot stems. They were a curiosity and they definitely looked curious. In his 1851 book, The Flower Garden, Joseph Breck wrote, “This is an elegant tribe of plants and very curious in their structure…However beautiful and curious these plants may be, and desirable for show, they are repulsive to the smell and unpleasant to the touch, and, therefore, will not be favorites.” In the end, Breck proved to be correct, but not before the plant enjoyed many decades of popularity. By Victorian times, the plant was being grown in most greenhouses as a potted plant. As the cottage garden style emerged during the Victorian era, cleomes became a popular component of the Victorian cottage garden in America and Europe, but not so much in Britain. During the 20th century, as gardens became smaller and gardening, in general, became less popular, cleomes fell out of favor. Only in the last 5 years has there been a resurgence of interest in cleomes. This is probably due to the growing interest in old fashion flowers and a return to the cottage garden style.