Rocky Mountain Bee Plant (Cleome serrulata) Quick Facts!
Rocky Mountain Bee Plant native areaUSDA, NRCS. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov)
Host Plant to several species of “white” butterflies!
Nectar plant for Monarchs, Swallowtails and many other butterflies.
Herbaceous annual
Native to much of the US, excluding the southeast
Native in Canada
Hardy in USDA zones 3-8
Full sun
Dry, sandy soil, drought tolerate once established
Pink flowers bloom in Summer
Grows about 2-5 feet tall
Space 1-2 feet apart
Readily reseeds
Deer resistant
Rocky Mountain Bee Plant Seeds
The Rocky Mountain Bee Plant may have a bit of an obnoxious odor when the foliage is crushed, but the Bee Plant is a butterfly garden superstar! This plant has show stopping flowers and unstoppable nectar supply.
Hot pink to reddish-purple blooms erupt near the bottom of stately 2- to 5 foot stems and work their way up to the crown, resulting in weeks-long bloom times. Remove the spent blossoms to encourage repeat blooming of these tall beauties.
Monarchs and Swallowtails are fond of the Rocky Mountain Bee plant’s nectar. It serves as a host plant for Great Southern White, Western White, Cabbage White, Checkered White, Common White, and Becker’s White butterflies. Bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators will make a bee-line to these beautiful flowers.
Starting the Cleome Seeds:
The Bee plant prefers dry, well-drained sandy soil, but will also grow in clay. The plant thrives in full sun and is drought-tolerant once established.
Seeds may be planted outside in the fall or 30 day cold stratified. Some have seen success with germination with just 2-3 weeks of cold stratification. Plant the seeds and lightly cover with soil. Keep moist with a misting spray of water. If starting the seeds inside, start the seed 6 weeks before your last frost and transplant the seedlings outside after the danger of frost is past. Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks after stratification.
Make this amazing, double duty, host/nectar plant with its vivid, tall pink flowers and bountiful nectar a part of your butterfly garden.
Please note: Joyful Butterfly offers only native Rocky Mountain Bee Plant seeds which produce the bee plant with generous amounts of nectar!
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