I have a two basic requirements when it comes to what gets planted in the
very limited space that makes up my garden. The number one requirement
is size. The plant has to be able to grow 3 feet or higher. My second
requirement is toughness. The plant has to be able to negotiate the
jungle and survive on its own. No pansies, petunias, or any of those
kind of plants ever gets planted in my garden because they're too boring.
IMHO, they're like the little yap yap dog that looks cute but can't do
anything useful but eat and poop. I want plants that get big so all
summer I can sit back and referee the war that ensues as they all vie for
territory.
Anyway, this spring I went for the first time to this one nursery here in
Chicago around Rogers Park and they had a huge selection of different
plants. I stumbled upon Cleome and the tag said it grew to 4' so I
bought a six pack of seedlings and in the pots they went. So far these
plants have gotten huge and each one has 3 or 4 different flower clusters
and they keep getting bigger and bigger and there are plenty of growing
months left this year. So, for me, I award my plant of the year to
Cleome. It has practically taken over my garden although no plant can
beat the towering sunflowers. Here's a pic of my Cleome:
http://www.brandylion.com/gallery/Garden2005/120_2023
BTW: The leaves on this plant actually look like cannabis leaves so I
wonder if the two plant are related.
Does anyone know of other annual or perennial flowers that get this big?