General Culture:

Grow in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, acidic, humusy soils. Tolerant of boggy soils. Divide clumps when they become overcrowded. Foliage declines after flowering and should be cut back almost to the ground to encourage new growth and a possible fall bloom.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This spiderwort garden hybrid is a compact, clump-forming perennial which typically grows to only 10" tall. Light blue, three-petaled flowers (to 1.5" diameter) accented by contrasting yellow stamens are borne in terminal clusters (umbels) atop stiff stems. Numerous buds form in each cluster, but individual flowers open up only a few at a time, each for only one day, blooming in succession from late May into August. Arching, iris-like, dark green leaves are folded lengthwise forming a groove. Foliage retains form throughout growing season better than most other tradescantias. When the stems of spiderworts are cut, a viscous stem secretion is released which becomes threadlike and silky upon hardening (like a spider's web), hence the common name.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Young shoots are susceptible to snail damage. Foliage may sprawl by mid-summer.

Uses:

Compact, long-blooming plant that may be used for edging, rock gardens, borders, open woodland gardens, wild gardens, naturalized areas or in moist areas along ponds or streams.

© Missouri Botanical Garden, 2001-2010