Tradescantia
Spiderwort, Spider lily
Also known as Rhoeo
- Height × spread
- 0.25m – 0.6m × 0.3m – 1m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in Spring & Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are old cottage garden favourites that have curious three petalled flowers, overall somewhat triangular in their shape. They grow amidst masses of strappy, sometimes floppy foliage. The flowers are curiously appealing and come in shades of white, blue, pink, purple, red and magenta. At their heart are small but showy stamens. The foliage is generally green, but a gold-foliaged form 'Sweet Kate' is now available, and the combination of the strong gold of the foliage and the strong blue of the flowers is curious. These are best in poor soil which lessens their enthusiasm and keeps them stiff. They are summer flowering and are between 45cm and a metre in height.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Lilac, Mauve, Pink, Purple, Red, White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Cube, Dome, Round, Weeping
- Height
- 0.25m – 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Rabbit resistant
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
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
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