Hi beedle, welcome to the FN forum!

That will be good that you'll be starting them indoors early, direct sowing works too, however you'll get late blooms.

I love Cleome in the garden, however the flea beetle loves them more than I.

For some reason they didn't touch the Cleome serrulata Rocky Mountain Bee Plant. I really like this Cleome since its a Alberta native and self-seeds readily.

Best wishes on your church garden project.

Sharon

I haven't grown cleome myself, but last year I noticed it used quite extensively as a centerpiece in the large flower beds at the condo complex where my daughter lives in Winnipeg. It is quite a large plant and provided a nice focal point in the beds.

I've grown Cleome successfully, in Winnipeg - it grows 5-6 feet tall. The only problem I had with it was when it "tapped" someone on the shoulder as they were sitting at our garden table hahahaha.
It's a self-seeder, and can sprout up all over.
Great West Life in Winnipeg used to grow it in their display garden out front - very dramatic planting.
Now that I'm in Calgary, I'm hoping to find some plants. Any suggestions of where to buy them? The seeds I brought from Winnipeg & put in the freezer over the winter don't seem to be sprouting.........