Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Spiderwort

I have grown Spiderwort (tradescamtia virginiana) forever in my garden because I love the bright purple flowers against the bright grassy leaves.

It is a perennial that is a member of the same family that Purple Heart, Wandering Jew and Moses-In-The-Cradle belong to as evident in the flower stems. The top photo is the common one that I always see at the nursery and the bottom photo is a hybrid (sorry, don't know the name) that has more yellow in the leaves and a lighter shade of purple flowers. It grows in the sun or shade and requires regular water, but can live in soggy soil. I've also seen it with pink flowers.

7 comments:

Brenda Kula said...

I have something similar to this, but I'm not sure if this is what it is. I love plants that will take different conditions of sun. So versatile!
Brenda

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Very pretty! I have one too! I use to have a pink one too but it died. They are fun plants to grow(-: Weird name though...lol(-:

Gail said...

Could the bottom one be Kate? I like them a lot, too and don't mind that they travel a bit! gail

Unknown said...

I am not fond of these at all. They pop up all around here.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Hi Sheila ! I think you have Sweet Kate .. gold foliage beautiful blue flowers .. I almost got her .. These are such vigorous plants .. I have pulled some out .. thought they were gone and BAM ! they keep popping up again .. how can you stop a plant that just wants to be there ? LOL

Unknown said...

It's a pretty plant. Mine is very purple and for a long time I was not sure what it was... I like how the little buds "wait in line" to pop up and bloom.

Anonymous said...

They are so pretty. Some of my favorites.