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| Native Tradescantia, probably Ohio Spiderwort |
Yep, the snow we had in January didn't last long at all. Two weeks of weirdly warm, dry weather really did a number on the snow cover. I've been so worried about all the perennials and shrubs I planted this past fall. I have been watering some of them. Will spring be drought-y too?
Anyhow, although I need to go out and shovel, instead I've been working up a garden to-do list and tidying up my disorganized garden planner. Among my notes I found multiple reminders to get more of a certain plant that I haven't spent much thought on...spiderwort.
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| Even when it's not in bloom Sweet Kate's foliage looks good |
I have two kinds in my garden. A native that just showed up one year and a cultivar with chartreuse foliage, "Sweet Kate." Both bloomed well for me this past year.
I'm assuming the native is Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis). It has a long bloom season but the flowers close up on hot, sunny days. It doesn't get supplemental watering but seems to be happy anyway and I've noticed some new plants starting to spring up around the bed. I like this plant because although it reseeds itself it doesn't go crazy. Also there doesn't seem to be pest or disease issues to worry about.
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| 'Sweet Kate' Spiderwort |
'Sweet Kate' also doesn't seem to have any big issues. When I first saw it in the garden catalogues I thought it was very garish and ugly. But knowing how easy these plants are, I decided to give it a try when I found a nice specimen on clearance at the garden center.
In my front shrub border, in a dark spot made darker by a couple of mature spruce trees, the chartreuse foliage of 'Sweet Kate' is lovely, not garish. I have it paired with 'Wide Brim' and 'Sum and Substance' hostas. I like the contrast of the hosta and spiderwort foliage.
It's curious, though. Searching the 'net for info on spiderwort cultivars I noticed that often culture is listed as full sun and moist soil but my native plant tends to reseed where there's part shade. And, it didn't seem to care that I wasn't watering it over the summer despite it having thirsty mature spruces as companions. Maybe the cultivated varieties are pickier?
I don't do any maintenance on mine but I read that cutting them back after a big bloom helps them rebloom and that they can get messy when it's really hot out. I haven't noticed that myself but maybe summers here just aren't enough to make spiderworts miserable.
So, bottom line is I like spiderwort and I want more of them in my garden. There are more cultivars on the market every year, including a couple with bi-colored foliage but I think I'll stick to the two I have. Do you believe me?
In my front shrub border, in a dark spot made darker by a couple of mature spruce trees, the chartreuse foliage of 'Sweet Kate' is lovely, not garish. I have it paired with 'Wide Brim' and 'Sum and Substance' hostas. I like the contrast of the hosta and spiderwort foliage.
It's curious, though. Searching the 'net for info on spiderwort cultivars I noticed that often culture is listed as full sun and moist soil but my native plant tends to reseed where there's part shade. And, it didn't seem to care that I wasn't watering it over the summer despite it having thirsty mature spruces as companions. Maybe the cultivated varieties are pickier?
I don't do any maintenance on mine but I read that cutting them back after a big bloom helps them rebloom and that they can get messy when it's really hot out. I haven't noticed that myself but maybe summers here just aren't enough to make spiderworts miserable.
So, bottom line is I like spiderwort and I want more of them in my garden. There are more cultivars on the market every year, including a couple with bi-colored foliage but I think I'll stick to the two I have. Do you believe me?
I have spiderwort in my yard too and it is actually a favorite of mine...I've transplanted some to another area and it actually came up this past year!
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