General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, acidic, humusy soils. Tolerant of wet, boggy soils. Deadhead each flower cluster after all buds in the cluster have opened to extend the bloom period. Foliage usually declines after flowering and should be cut back almost to the ground to encourage new growth and additional late summer to fall bloom. Divide clumps when they become overcrowded.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
This spiderwort hybrid is a compact, clump-forming perennial which typically grows to 12" tall. Purplish-blue (concord grape), three-petaled flowers (to 1.5" diameter) accented by contrasting yellow stamens are borne in terminal clusters (umbels) atop stiff stems. Numerous flower 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 May into August. Arching, iris-like, smoky, bluish-green leaves are folded lengthwise forming a groove. When the stems of spiderworts are cut, a viscous stem secretion is released which becomes thread-like 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 damage from snails and caterpillars. Spiderwort foliage often sprawls in an unattractive manner by mid-summer. General foliage decline is reportedly less severe with this cultivar, however.
Uses:
Compact spiderwort with a long bloom. Rock gardens, borders, open woodland gardens, wild gardens, naturalized areas or moist areas along streams or ponds.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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