Tradescantia Andersoniana Group
Spiderwort, Spider lily, Trinity flower, Devil in the pulpit, Giant spiderwort
Also known as Tradescantia x andersoniana
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Generally available in Spring & Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are popular plants that produce blue, purple or white, three petalled flowers for a long time in the summer. The down side is that they shut up shop early, so you don't get to see them in the evening after a long day's work in the office. The plant makes an untidy, grassy looking foliage mound and curiously attractive flowers. It was named after the collector John Tradescant. The name spiderwort comes from the belief that it was related to Phalangium, extracts of which were used to treat poisonous spider bites.
- Flower colour
- Blue, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Rabbit resistant
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Skin allergen
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Found in
More Tradescantia
Tradescantia
Spiderwort, Spider lily
Tradescantia Andersoniana Group 'Osprey'
Spiderwort, Spider lily, Trinity flower, Devil in the pulpit, Giant spiderwort
Tradescantia Andersoniana Group 'Perinne's Pink'
Spiderwort
Tradescantia sillamontana
White velvet
Tradescantia 'Brightness'
Spiderwort, Spider lily, Silver inch plant
Tradescantia 'Concord Grape'
Spiderwort, Spider lily, Trinity flower, Devil in the pulpit, Giant spiderwort
Tradescantia 'Nanouk'
Spiderwort, Spider lily, Flowering inch plant
Tradescantia 'Quadricolor'
Spiderwort, Spider lily, Four-coloured silver inch plant