Spiderwort (Tradescantia Andersoniana group)

Description

It belongs to the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae). Gardens grow varieties and clones of hybrid origin, obtained by crossing Tradescantia virginiana with Tradescantia chinensis or Tradescantia subaspera. The stems are upright, 50–70 cm tall, smooth or slightly hairy and branched. The leaves are narrowly linear-lanceolate, 15–40 cm long, and stay green until late autumn. Blue-violet flowers in terminal clusters appear from May to October; they open during the day and close in the evening and in very cloudy weather. Spiderwort is suitable for borders.

Requirements

It needs fresh, free-draining soil that does not hold water in winter. On dry soils it must be watered generously. It grows best in sunny places and flowers less in partial shade. It needs winter protection.