Iberian Spiderflower: A Mysterious Annual You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Meet Cleome iberica, commonly known as Iberian spiderflower – a plant that’s about as elusive in gardens as it is in botanical literature. If you’re scratching your head wondering what this plant is all about, you’re not alone. This lesser-known annual forb has managed to fly under the radar of most gardeners, and there might be good reasons for that.
What Exactly Is Iberian Spiderflower?
Iberian spiderflower is an annual forb, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a non-woody herbaceous plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season. Like other members of the Cleome family, it’s related to the more popular spider flower (Cleome hassleriana) that you might see in garden centers, but this particular species is much more obscure.
The plant gets its spiderflower common name from the characteristic long, thin seed pods and protruding stamens that give Cleome species their distinctive spidery appearance.
Where Does It Come From and Where Can You Find It?
Here’s where things get interesting – and by interesting, I mean puzzling. Cleome iberica is classified as a non-native species that has established itself in the wild, but its current documented distribution in the United States is extremely limited, appearing only in Kentucky. This makes it something of a botanical mystery.
As a non-native plant, it originally came from somewhere else (likely the Mediterranean region, based on its name), but it has managed to naturalize and reproduce on its own in at least one U.S. state.
Should You Grow Iberian Spiderflower?
This is where I’m going to be completely honest with you: there’s very little information available about growing Cleome iberica successfully in gardens. We don’t have reliable data about:
- Its specific growing requirements
- USDA hardiness zones where it thrives
- Its height and spread at maturity
- Its ornamental value
- Its benefits to pollinators and wildlife
- Proper planting and care techniques
When a plant is this poorly documented, it usually means one of two things: either it’s incredibly rare and specialized, or it’s just not particularly noteworthy as a garden plant.
Better Alternatives for Your Garden
Instead of trying to hunt down this mysterious spiderflower, consider these well-documented native alternatives that will give you similar or better results:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – A native annual/perennial that attracts pollinators
- Plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) – A cheerful native annual with excellent pollinator value
- Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea) – A native forb that’s both beautiful and beneficial
- Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – A stunning native that hummingbirds adore
The Bottom Line
While Cleome iberica might sound exotic and intriguing, sometimes the most mysterious plants are mysterious for a reason. With so many well-documented, beautiful native plants available that we know will thrive in our gardens and support local wildlife, it makes sense to focus our efforts on those proven performers.
If you’re drawn to the spiderflower look, consider the more common Cleome hassleriana instead – though even this should be chosen carefully as some consider it potentially invasive in certain regions. When in doubt, native is usually your best bet for a successful, sustainable garden that truly benefits your local ecosystem.
