Spiderwort
(Tradescantia virginiana)
Hardy to Zone 4
Bloom Time - Early spring and throughout summer
Color - Blue, pink, white, lavender
Foliage - Narrow, coarse, arching grass-like blades
Size - 2-3 ft.
Exposure - Full sun or partial shade
Culture - A wildflower that is easy to grow in the garden, spiderwort is vigorous and freely self seeds year after year. It is tolerable of many soil and light conditions but dislikes dry weather. Tall stalks contain many buds at the top that open for one day only. They then conveniently disintegrate instead of falling to the ground. Look for plants at your local wildflower society sales. Spiderwort is a good plant for bringing blue into the garden (pink and white varieties are also available).
Spiderwort reseeds freely and some consider it a pest in the garden. For a tamer and more dramatic option, try the chartreuse colored "Sweet Kate", a new dwarf variety.
Return to Perennials and Annuals
Bloom Time - Early spring and throughout summer
Color - Blue, pink, white, lavender
Foliage - Narrow, coarse, arching grass-like blades
Size - 2-3 ft.
Exposure - Full sun or partial shade
Culture - A wildflower that is easy to grow in the garden, spiderwort is vigorous and freely self seeds year after year. It is tolerable of many soil and light conditions but dislikes dry weather. Tall stalks contain many buds at the top that open for one day only. They then conveniently disintegrate instead of falling to the ground. Look for plants at your local wildflower society sales. Spiderwort is a good plant for bringing blue into the garden (pink and white varieties are also available).
Spiderwort reseeds freely and some consider it a pest in the garden. For a tamer and more dramatic option, try the chartreuse colored "Sweet Kate", a new dwarf variety.
Return to Perennials and Annuals