TRADESCANTIA. Spiderwort. The Americas. A group of mostly perennial plants related to the commelinas (dayflower). Most have folded or channeled leaves resembling those of grasses or lilies. They carry their nearly triangular 3-petalled flowers in bracted clusters at the shoot tips. Often the flowers are quite colorful. They are short-lived but quickly replaced by others in the cluster. Most species are quite easy to grow, though their cultural details and hardiness vary widely. The following are winter deciduous and hardy to below 0^oF.

occidentalis. Western spiderwort. Western U.S. This is a plant of open plains, tough and adaptable to sparsely tended gardens. It is similar in appearance to the last and of about the same size. However the leaves are generally narrow, and both leaves and stems are grey-green in color. The flowers are up to 2" broad and lavender-blue in color. It prefers sun, well drained soil and moderate to occasional watering.

virginiana (T. x andersoniana). Virginia spiderwort. Eastern U.S. This is a clumping woodland perennial, producing fountains of 1-2’ leaves. Branched leafy stalks rise just above them, carrying clusters of showy 1-1½” flowers from late spring to fall. Each blossom lasts only a day, but it is immediately replaced by another. We offer several traditional cultivars: ‘Pauline’, with light mauve blossoms; ‘Purple Dome’, with large clusters of purple flowers; ‘Red Cloud’, colored deep magenta; ‘Bluestone’, with exceptionally large, lavender blue blossoms; and ‘Snowcap’, with pure white flowers. My own selections are ‘Wild Eyes’, featuring white flowers with lavender centers, and—most recently—‘Violeta’, with huge blossoms of intense violet. Sun or part shade, most soils, regular watering.