Well the Post is a day late with that article. The sparkler sereis is hardly new. It has been around for several years and it is not sterile. But is is an F1 hybrid and dwarf.

Thank you for your reply. I didn't think it was new but thought I would ask. It is the sterile part I was most interested in. Poo! I really like them but don't want a ton of seedlings. I guess I could dead head them regularly. Perhaps that would help.

I grew the Sparkler series last year, spent like $12 for only 24 seeds I think, and had terribly lousy germination. Not sure why, I always get good germination from everything I grow. I will never spend that much on seed for anything again.

Ellen, May I ask where you purchased your seeds. Were they mail order? I have seen them online for a reasonable price. I'm looking for something to fill in a spot between the tall perennials in the back and the border. I do like they way cleome looks. Sorry to hear you had poor germination. Ree

I grew some last year. They were a very managabe size and did nicely. They seemed to reseed but the plants that resulted from this were not very strong.

jackied164 thank you for posting. This is what I needed to know. I think I'm going to give them a go. I do love them and the critters leave them alone.