Intro: Erect or ascending, clump-forming perennial of woodlands and forests, alluvial bottoms, meadows and other open, disturbed areas.

Stems: Stems branched, somewhat succulent, smooth, and with a whitish coating.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile with smooth (sometimes hairy) sheathing bases, linear or lance-shaped, to 18 in. long, bluish-green and smooth.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in terminal clusters underlain by two leaf-like, spreading-drooping, sharp-pointed bracts up to 3 in. long; blue to purple or rose (rarely white); consisting of 3 oval petals and 6 hairy stamens bearing bright yellow anthers. Flower stalks are hairless.

Fruits: Fruit a 3-celled, oval capsule.

Comments: Tradenscantia are native, herbaceous perennials named for John Tradescant, gardener to King Charles I of England. They bloom from April through September and adapt to a wide range of conditions. In cultivation, they thrive in moist, well-drained soil and full sun. In nature, they are most often found on the rich woodland floor. Because they are very sensitive to pollution, spiderworts can be used as environmental indicators. They will respond to very low levels of environmental pollutants (such as auto exhaust fumes, radiation, herbicides and pesticides) with rapid mutations that alter the color of the stamens. Cutting back flowering stems occasionally prolongs flowering. This is a good plant for pollinators!

Height: 10 in.-4 ft.

plant sale text: Spiderwort is versatile and reliable SE native species which thrives in any soil and adds a cheerful touch to the garden. After all flowers have bloomed, deadhead the stalks and cut the foliage to keep plants from sprawling. They will rebloom in the fall. These plants were grown from a collection of plants that had blue to light purple blossoms. In the wild, Spiderwort is seen in open woods and meadows. It is great for bog gardens and other naturally wet sites as well as the average perennial garden.

bloom table text:

description: Erect or ascending, clump-forming perennial of woodlands and forests, alluvial bottoms, meadows and other open, disturbed areas.

stems: Stems branched, somewhat succulent, smooth, and with a whitish coating.

leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile with smooth (sometimes hairy) sheathing bases, linear or lance-shaped, to 18 in. long, bluish-green and smooth.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in terminal clusters underlain by two leaf-like, spreading-drooping, sharp-pointed bracts up to 3 in. long; blue to purple or rose (rarely white); consisting of 3 oval petals and 6 hairy stamens bearing bright yellow anthers. Flower stalks are hairless.

fruits: Fruit a 3-celled, oval capsule.

comments: Tradenscantia are native, herbaceous perennials named for John Tradescant, gardener to King Charles I of England. They bloom from April through September and adapt to a wide range of conditions. In cultivation, they thrive in moist, well-drained soil and full sun. In nature, they are most often found on the rich woodland floor. Because they are very sensitive to pollution, spiderworts can be used as environmental indicators. They will respond to very low levels of environmental pollutants (such as auto exhaust fumes, radiation, herbicides and pesticides) with rapid mutations that alter the color of the stamens. Cutting back flowering stems occasionally prolongs flowering. This is a good plant for pollinators!

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: eastern & central United States