Tradescantia ohiensis

Scientific Name: Tradescantia ohiensis

Common Name: Ohio Spiderwort

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Blooming Time: May to July

Bloom Duration: 6 to 8 weeks

Fragrance: No noticeable fragrance

Plant Growing Habit: Upright, clump-forming

Characteristics: A hardy North American native perennial with graceful, arching blue-green, grass-like foliage and clusters of vivid blue to violet, three-petalled flowers. Individual blooms last only one day, but new flowers open daily over an extended period. Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. An excellent choice for native gardens, prairie plantings, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, and naturalized landscapes. The foliage remains attractive throughout much of the growing season and is deer- resistant.

Spacing: 30 to 45 cm apart

Height: 60 to 90 cm

Width: 45 to 60 cm

Maintenance Requirements: Low maintenance. Prefers full sun to partial shade and grows best in moist, well-drained soil, although it adapts to a wide range of soil types. Water regularly during establishment; once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant. Shear plants back by one-third after flowering if the foliage becomes untidy to encourage fresh new growth and occasional reblooming. Divide clumps every 3 to 5 years to maintain vigour. Fertilization is generally unnecessary in average garden soil. Hardy and well-suited to Canadian gardens in Zones 3–9.

Images Courtesy of Ball Horticultural Company of Ball Seed or www.ballseed.com