Tradescantia virginiana

Tradescantia virginiana flower (16/05/2011, Paris)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Late spring to early autumn

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: indefinite

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Commelinaceae

Tradescantia virginiana is a herbaceous perennial with a grass-like tufted habit.  It has alternate, simple leaves with parallel venation and a centre groove held on tubular stems. The flowers are violet to purple, contrasted by yellow stamens, composed of three petals. Each flower will only open for a single day and will usually close before noon but overall the plant will stay in inflorescence for many months.

Tradescantia virginiana, commonly known as Virginia Spiderwort or Lady’s Tears, is native to eastern North America. It is also  botanically known as Ephemerum congestum, Tradescantia brevicaulis, Tradescantia congesta, Tradescantia rupestris
 and Tradescantia speciosa. This plant can be quite invasive if the conditions are right.

The etymological root of the binomial name Tradescantia is named after John Tradescant (1608-1662) who served as gardener to Charles 1 of England. Virginiana is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Virginia’, USA.

Tradescantia virginiana (16/05/2011, Paris)

The landscape architect may Tradescantia virginiana is useful as a long-blooming, low maintenance perennial tolerant shady locations. It also naturalises effectively and is suitable for ground-cover in woodland schemes.

Ecologically, Tradescantia virginiana will attract pollinating insects such as bees that will feed on its nectar.

Tradescantia virginiana prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers an acidic pH of soil.

Tradescantia virginiana requires little to no care. large clumps of this plant may be divided in autumn to increase plant numbers.