Once a classic perennial and a potted plant in Victorian gardens
and homes, the spiderwort has become more rare. However, the plant
is making a comeback and it’s grown as much for its unrefined
grassy foliage as for its clusters of small flowers that bloom
almost continuously through summer.
Once a classic perennial and a potted plant in Victorian gardens and homes, the spiderwort has become more rare. However, the plant is making a comeback and it’s grown as much for its unrefined grassy foliage as for its clusters of small flowers that bloom almost continuously through summer.
The arching, foot-long leaves form dark green clumps about 1 foot tall and wide. Individual flowers bloom for only one day, but are replaced as quickly as they fade. Flowers are white or pale to dark shades of blue, purple or pink.
Spiderwort – biological name is Tradescantia virginiana – is easy to grow as long as the air does not get too hot or dry. It is fine with full-sun exposure, and can also be quite happy in areas that are too damp or dark for other plants.
Spiderwort is ideal for very small gardens that are shaded by large newer homes.
Although it does not bloom well in the home, spiderwort is a nice foliar houseplant. It can be grown as a potted plant in the garden to be brought indoors while blooming and then moved back into the garden when flowers run out to repeat the process. Overgrown potted plants, as well as large plants in the garden, can be divided when they get too crowded to bloom well. Seedlings can naturalize and might even appear where they are not wanted. Fortunately, they transplant easily.
The only difficulty with spiderwort is finding it in nurseries. Although it is becoming increasingly popular, it is not yet commonly available. It is easier to get pieces – called shoots – or seedlings from friends or neighbors.
Tony Tomeo is a consulting horticulturist and arborist for New Image Landscape of Fremont. His weekly radio broadcast, “New Image Garden Report,” can be heard at 8:10am on Friday mornings on KSCO, 1080 AM of Santa Cruz. Tony can be reached at (888) 226-9191 or tt****@***************pe.com.
