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Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Native Plants < Native Plant Database <Tradescantia virginiana
One day I was driving along a
busy Atlanta street when I spied the cutest little gingerbread
cottage surrounded by old, elephantine oaks and a “lawn” composed of
almost nothing but blue spiderworts. The whole yard was blue, a
fairyland! I drove straight to the nearest nursery. I had to get
myself some spiderworts.
These long-lived perennials, found naturally in open woods, are very
adaptable and easy to grow, performing well in full sun to full
shade and in a variety of soils, both dry and moist. The long,
strap-like leaves are essentially evergreen in Georgia. Blue, white,
pink, or purple, the little three-petaled flowers are succulent and
dewy-looking, opening in the freshness and coolness of the morning
and closing in the heat of the afternoon. Each flower lasts only one
day, but there are lots of flowers and the bloom season can extend
over two months. Bees and butterflies visit. This versatile plant is
a great one to use in masses, but it also looks good in a pot or as
an accent.
Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)
Herbaceous perennial with blue-green, lance-shaped
leaves up to 18 inches long and an inch wide. Three-petaled blue to
purple flowers bloom in spring (sometimes the flowers will be white
or pink). Small, dry seed capsules follow, with the seeds ripening
in summer.
18 to 24 inches high and 24 inches wide.
Clump-forming.
Fast.
Full shade to full sun.
Spiderwort is extremely adaptable and will do well
just about anywhere. It doesn’t require deadheading, since the
flowers dissolve cleanly. In midsummer the foliage becomes unkempt
and should be cut to the ground. Fresh, new foliage will develop in
fall.
Assets include succulent, iris-like flowers
and a long blooming period—six to ten weeks between April to July.
A great addition to the woodland garden or shady border.
Planting spiderwort is a wonderful way to bring some blue into the
landscape.
Flowers attract bees and butterflies.
Found in meadows and open woodlands throughout Georgia.
Seed, division. Will self-sow if conditions are
right.
Photograph and text by Leslie Kimel, Georgia Wildlife Federation
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Spiderwort
