Common Name Biological Name Type Family Native Range Zone Height Spread Bloom Time Bloom Description Sun Water Maintenance Suggested Use Flower Tolerate |
spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis Herbaceous perennial Commelinaceae Eastern and central North America 4 to 9 2.00 to 3.00 feet 1.50 to 2.50 feet May to July Deep blue to rose blue Full sun to part shade Dry to medium Medium Naturalize Showy Drought, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soi |
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Very tolerant of part shade, but bloom may be less profuse. Prefers moist, acidic, sandy soil. Divide clumps when they become overcrowded. Cut back to 6-12″ in mid-summer to encourage new growth and a possible fall bloom. Noteworthy CharacteristicsTradescantia ohiensis is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial which grows up to 3′ tall with dark bluish-green, arching, grass-like leaves up to 1.5′ long and 1.75″ wide which are folded lengthwise forming a channel or groove. Clusters of blue (less frequently rose), three-petaled flowers (0.75-1.5″ diameter) bloom from late May into early July. Each flower opens up for only one day. Can self-seed and become somewhat aggressive in ideal growing conditions. A Missouri native plant that is commonly found in prairies, wood margins, meadows, along roadsides, or in waste areas. Genus name honors John Tradescant (1570-1638) and his son John Tradescant (1608-1662), botanists and successive gardeners to Charles I of England. Specific epithet means of Ohio. |
Information on this page is generally from Missouri Botanical Gardens, Dave’s Garden, All things Plants or Texas Superstar |
This page last updated or reviewed [210724]