Monday, June 13, 2011

The Many Faces of Spiderworts

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'Blueberry Sundae'
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'Sweet Kate'
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It always surprises me when I see the variety within plants-even within the same plant. Spiderworts, aka Tradescantia virginiana. This is one genus I love not only for its variety but for its toughness and ability to procreate itself-even in the darkest depths of my gardens. It is a great plant for home gardening. This plant is beloved by the bees and helps to bring a fantastic presence to the garden in the form of a filler or weaver or even the queen...

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

25 comments:

  1. Spiderworts and I have a love hate relationship....

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  2. What a variety of spiderworts you have, Tina! And I thought they were available only in purple.

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  3. Good Morning All.
    I too thought it only came in one color. So glad to know that is not the rule. I've seen this plant all over. Does it grow wild?

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  4. Darla, Do they self seed too much in your garden? Here they are not a pest and do so well in the shade we have at Tiger Gardens.

    Rose, Many folks think they only come in one color. They are quite variable and the sizes of them vary like crazy too. Some are 3' tall while others only 1 foot tall.

    Lola, Oh yes, spiderworts grow wild and are native to the southeastern US. They self seed a bit and multiply. They are lovely plants in my garden. The bees simply adore them this year.

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  5. I love spiderworts too, especially since they don't really spread here...not sure if that's because of the climate, species, cultivars, or a combination of all 3.

    I agree, they are beautiful and can fill many roles in the garden! ..

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  6. Hmmmmmmm. I didn't realize they self-propagate! I just picked them for their pretty color. And now I see there are MANY colors!

    I just keep learning!

    Have a happy Garden WEEK!

    (Just so you know, I tried leaving the previous comment using my name & gardening url. When I went back to check if it would link to my garden blog, it took me to an ad for some bank! I'm very sorry. I tried to delete it, but it won't let me. PLEASE delete it for me. Thanks!)

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  7. I agree - I love spiderworts although I have not experienced such a variety as you have. Mine are all purple, and keep living and spreading each year.

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  8. I shall remember this plant name and have a look in the nursery. I have this hedious shade area that I am trying to make it look much nicer with plants. Thank you.

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  9. Oh this is a lovely post, tina. I didn't know that the plants are called "spiderworts". We call them "Tsuyukusa", literally, "dew plants". Perhaps because of this name, many photographers here want to take a picture of them with some dewdrops or their dew-glistening leaves.

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  10. I can't keep spiderwort going here like I did at a former home. I've always loved them. You have a nice variety of colors.

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  11. Wow, so many different colors and grow in shade too! I am eyeing an area of shade in the Semi-Formal Garden and I think these would be a great asset. I have never seen these beauties in the garden centers but will keep a look out...

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  12. Goodness Tina, I never knew there were so many varieties. I've never grown them tho ~ not sure why??? Maybe I'll give them another look next time I'm at the nursery. You have some beautiful ones.

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  13. I just added my first one this spring. It's an Ohio Spiderwort native. Blueberry Sundae makes me hungry, such a tasty name. :)

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  14. I also didn't know there were so many colors. I just have the dark purple one and in fact just moved it to a shady spot yesterday. I love the light blue ones.

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  15. They are very pretty and look so delicate but you say they are tough so that is a keeper of a plant. I love the name Blueberry Sunadae, like Perennialgardener said, it sounds so very tasty.

    Like mother, like daughter....it also always amazes me that one plant can have so many varieties. For years I thought a peony was a peony or a iris was an iris and so on. How dumb was I? Maybe that is why it amazes me so much.

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  16. I don't have any spiderworts in my garden -- but I will look for them next year. They are beautiful. :)

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  17. Unfortunately, the only variety I have in my garden is an Asian type that is impossible to eradicate, spreads everywhere, and is a real nuisance! I would love to have some well tamed ones, but this one has unfortunately given me an unfavorable outlook on this plant. :(

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  18. Sweetbay, Like you I think they spread more in warmer climates. Though NC and TN are pretty warm it seems not warm enough for them to be pests. That's great because they are so pretty.

    Rebecca, I could not reach your blog either. It was weird but did not take me to a bank ad. I've deleted it no problem. It was great to see some spiderworts on your blog this morning.

    Catmint, It's wonderful they grow and thrive there.

    MKG, Spiderworts are just the thing for your shade. Catmint is also in Australia and has luck with them.

    Sapphire, Dew plant is a much nicer name. They do hold the dew wonderfully too so I see where that name comes from.

    Cameron, That's a bummer but with all those other lovelies you have I bet you barely miss the spiderworts.

    Skeeter, They seem to spread fairly vigorously down in your area so beware. For me though if nothing else will grow-I let them go. Keep an eye out and if you can't find any I can always share.

    Kathleen, They are so variable you almost need to buy them in bloom. Mine have cross pollinatated and morphed into many things-just not the Blueberry sundae. That was a special buy.

    Racquel, Makes me hungry too!

    Catherine, Add another one that is a different color and you'll get other colors too. They are really variable.

    Mom, Gardening is a wonderful way to open one's eyes to the world and the variety within the world. It truly is amazing.

    Nancy, Thanks!

    HolleyGarden, I think that since you are a bit warmer there then the spiderworts spread more vigorously? It seems to be that way. Here they are not a problem. I don't blame you for not wanting anymore.

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  19. What an ugly name for such a beautiful plant! They brighten up the roadsides around here with those lovely flowers, and not even the current drought can stop them.

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  20. I have spiderwort and the only face I would like to see is a better behaved plant. They spread like crazy and grow so darn fast.

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  21. I just planted my first ones this spring and I am anxious to see them bloom. You have so many different ones and they are so pretty. I love the Blueberry Sundae.

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  22. Tina,
    These are lovely! We recently got a short white blooming spiderwort. Just Saturday I planted the hellebore seeds you sent me. I'll remember this post so when my spiderworts spread out I can send you some.

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  23. I agree with Darla, love/hate. I do like that Blueberry Sundae. Don't have any here in SC, kind of miss them....sort of.

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  24. Wow! It seems some folks really like these and some don't. I say give them a try and if they work fine, if not-boot them-fast.

    Randy, Don't even worry about sending me seeds. I am swamped as it is and probably have too many plants so please, don't worry. Enjoy the hellebore seeds. I hope at least one will be a double for you. I've not had any seedlings around it though.

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  25. Tina, I just started taking some photos of the Spiderwort in the garden. Posted one of them this morning. The weather must have been perfect for them this past year because they are coming up everywhere in the garden! Really everywhere. They are pretty ane add that needed color at this early time of year. Jack

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