Spiderwort (Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Mariella')
Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Mariella' Spiderwort boasts blue, three-petaled flowers from May to July, thriving in moist soils across zones 4-9.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Mariella’, known commonly as Spiderwort, offers vibrant color and structural interest through the early summer months. This particular cultivar is valued for its compact habit and striking blue, three-petaled flowers contrasted beautifully by brilliant yellow stamens. As a reliable herbaceous perennial, the Spiderwort brings dependable performance to moisture-retentive areas of the garden.
Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Mariella’ thrives when given consistent moisture, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens or near water features where other less adaptable plants might struggle. Although individual flowers last only a day, the extended blooming period from May into July ensures a consistent display of color.
Gardeners appreciate the genus Tradescantia for its unique foliage and resilience. To maintain the best appearance of this Spiderwort throughout the season, prompt post-bloom trimming is necessary to encourage fresh growth and potentially a later flush of blooms.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Commelinaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to July
- Bloom Description: Blue
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Plant Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Mariella’ in the spring or fall in average soil that is well-drained, although it tolerates wet conditions well. This Spiderwort performs best in full sun but will accept partial shade, though flowering may be reduced in deeper shade. Ideal soil preparation involves amending with humus to ensure decent drainage while maintaining the preferred moisture level.
Watering requirements are medium to wet; do not allow the soil to dry out completely, especially during hot spells. Fertilization is rarely necessary if the soil is reasonably rich. The primary maintenance task for your Spiderwort involves deadheading. After all buds in a terminal flower cluster have finished, remove the spent cluster to promote successive blooming.
As summer peaks, the foliage of many Tradescantia can look tired or decline. If the leaves of Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Mariella’ become unsightly or too sprawling due to mid-summer heat, cut the entire clump back hard, almost to the ground. This aggressive pruning promotes a welcome resurgence of fresh foliage and often triggers a second wave of flowering later in the season. Clumps should be divided every few years when they become overcrowded.
Landscape Uses
The moisture-loving nature of the Spiderwort makes it an indispensable element in ecological and functional landscaping solutions. It is perfectly suited for rain gardens, absorbing excess runoff while providing beautiful texture and color. Furthermore, these hybrids excel in moist borders, naturalized areas, or along the edges of ponds and streams where they integrate seamlessly with other bog-tolerant perennials.
Consider grouping Tradescantia ‘Mariella’ with plants that share similar moisture demands, such as astilbes, ligularias, or moisture-loving irises, to create a cohesive, water-wise display. Its height makes it an excellent middle-layer plant in a layered border, softening the transition between shorter edging plants and taller background specimens.
The arching, yellow-tinged foliage of this compact spiderwort also provides good contrast against fine grasses or broad-leaved hostas, adding year-round structure even when it is not actively blooming. The longevity and reliable performance of Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Mariella’ ensure that your garden pockets remain interesting for much of the growing season.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Tradescantia, commonly called spiderworts, is a genus of about 65 species of herbaceous perennials from North, Central and South America. They are grown for their showy, three-petaled flowers and attractive foliage. The Andersoniana Group of hybrid spiderworts are some of the most common perennial spiderworts seen in cultivation. ‘Mariella’ is a compact, clump-forming hybrid spiderwort that typically grows to 14” tall, featuring three-petaled, blue flowers accented by contrasting yellow stamens. When the stems of spiderworts are cut, a viscous stem secretion is released which becomes thread-like and silky upon hardening, hence the common name.
Tolerances
- Wet Soil
Potential Problems
Spiderwort generally avoids serious insect or disease complications, which is a significant benefit for low-input gardening. However, young shoots can be an appealing target for snails and caterpillars early in the season, leading to chewed foliage. Apply appropriate barriers or treatments if you notice early pest activity damaging those tender new growths.
The most common aesthetic issue is mid-summer foliage decline or sprawling, often caused by heat and humidity stress. While the ‘Mariella’ cultivar is reportedly less prone to severe decline than some older types, gardeners should anticipate cutting the plants hard back if appearance suffers. This rejuvenation technique solves the problem effectively, restoring tidiness and often initiating a second blooming cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Spiderwort suitable for?
Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Mariella’ is suitable for USDA Zones 4 through 9, offering flexibility across many climatic regions.
How large does Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Mariella’ grow?
This compact Spiderwort typically reaches a height of 1 to 1.5 feet and spreads to a similar width of 1 to 1.5 feet, forming a neat clump.
When does Spiderwort bloom?
The bloom time for this variety of Tradescantia is generally from May into July, producing beautiful blue flowers.
What sun exposure does Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Mariella’ need?
It prefers full sun to part shade conditions to achieve optimal performance and flowering.
Conclusion
The Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Mariella’ Spiderwort is a resilient and aesthetically pleasing addition capable of handling moist garden spaces that challenge other perennials. With its reliable blue summer blooms and manageable maintenance requirements—especially if you utilize the hard-cutback method—this plant guarantees color and texture. Ensure your site offers medium to wet moisture levels before planting Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Mariella’, and you will be rewarded with a hardworking garden staple.
Companion Planting
Selecting companions based on shared cultural needs is essential for maximizing the health of your Spiderwort patch. Since Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Mariella’ prefers consistently moist, even wet, soils, pair it with other moisture-loving plants such as Japanese Iris, Siberian Iris, Ligularia, or hardy Ferns. These companions will thrive under the same watering regime, creating a lush, water-wise border or woodland edge planting.
Grouping plants with differing foliage textures also enhances visual appeal. Consider contrasting the strap-like leaves of the Spiderwort with the broad, architectural leaves of Hostas or the fine texture of ornamental grasses that tolerate damp conditions. This varied texture prevents the garden bed from appearing monotonous during the times when the blue blooms of the Tradescantia are not at their peak.
Propagation Tips
The most straightforward method for increasing your stock of Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Mariella’ is through division, which should be done when clumps become overcrowded, typically every few years. It is best to divide the plant in early spring before new growth begins, or in the early fall after the summer heat has passed. Carefully lift the entire clump and tease the roots apart, ensuring each resulting division has healthy roots and several viable growing points.
Stem cuttings offer another quick propagation route for this versatile Spiderwort. Take cuttings of non-flowering stems just below a node during the summer months. Remove the lower leaves and place the cuttings directly into moist soil or water until roots develop, which happens readily on most Tradescantia species. Plant these rooted sections immediately into their intended growing location to establish new specimens of this lovely blue-flowering perennial.
