If you're walking around New England this time of year, you'll often see hedges of this beautiful plant blooming around now. It's known as Spiderwort ( the folk name is Widow's Tears) and it's a true blue native American plant. Its Latin name is Tradescantia virginiana - named for the Royal Head Gardener to King Charles I; John Tradescant, who sent his son to the New World to collect interesting plants for the Royal Garden in the 1600's.
This is what it looks like as a hedge -
A bit messy looking, it's true, and you have to squint a little to see the resemblance to spiders, but it's a rugged plant that will grow just about anywhere, and in poor soil as well as good soil. I've grown it in sun, shade, and semi shade, and it's done well in each place. This hedge is made up of three year old plants - I had one big clump I divided and planted - and it's dense and ready to be divided again.
For more blooms later, and to tidy up the plants, I cut it back by about a third or half, which I'm doing anyway when I cut spiderwort for indoor bouquets. The only time it gets shabby looking is when it's very hot and dry - otherwise, it's fairly presentable.
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Comments: 25
Really, Moggy? Hummmm, maybe they don't grow in your neck of the woods - I thought they grew EVERYWHERE!
Mary Beth, that is just the nicest comment - thanks so much! You made my day!
Isn't that odd, Heather? There have been years when the spiderwort did n't do well, so I know what you mean. I'd throw it in the dustbin if it looked like that all the time! Thanks for popping by, anyway.