Spiderwort (Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Little Doll')
Compact, light blue blooming Spiderwort, Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Little Doll', thrives in wet soil zones 4-9.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Little Doll’ offers gardeners a wonderfully compact variation of the beloved Spiderwort genus. This cultivar stands out due to its manageable size, typically reaching only about 10 inches tall, making it ideal for border fronts or smaller gardens where larger tradescantias might overwhelm the space. Its light blue, three-petaled flowers burst forth over attractive, iris-like foliage, providing reliable color from late spring well into the summer.
This herbaceous perennial hybrid is valued for its durability, easily establishing itself in average soils but showing particular tolerance for wetter conditions. As a member of the Andersoniana Group, it inherits the robust nature of its parent species, offering consistent performance in the landscape. The succession of blooms on each cluster extends the overall display, ensuring that the garden has reliable texture and color through early summer heat.
The common name Spiderwort derives from the silky, viscous secretion found in the stems when cut, resembling spider silk. For gardeners seeking reliable color near water features or in consistently moist spots, the Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Little Doll’ is an excellent, low-fuss choice that rewards minimal care with abundant, cheerful flowers.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Commelinaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Light blue
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Little Doll’ is best planted in spring after the danger of hard frost has passed, or in early fall. Choose a location offering full sun to light afternoon shade; performance in deep shade will result in sparser flowering. It thrives in average, well-drained soil but exhibits great adaptability, preferring moist, acidic, humusy soil types. Importantly, this Spiderwort is tolerant of wet, boggy soils, making it an excellent candidate for rain gardens.
Watering should be consistent, keeping the soil medium moist, especially during hot, dry spells where the plant is establishing itself. Fertilization is rarely necessary if the soil is reasonably fertile; excessive nitrogen can lead to floppy, overly leafy growth. The primary maintenance task involves deadheading spent flower clusters promptly. This encourages the plant to continue producing new buds, effectively extending the bloom period beyond the main flush.
As summer heat intensifies, the foliage of Tradescantia can tend to decline or become unattractive, and flowering slows. When this happens, cut the entire clump back hard, almost to the ground. This severe pruning is beneficial as it stimulates fresh new basal foliage and can usher in a second round of blooming late in the summer or into the fall. Clumps should be divided every few years if they become overly crowded to maintain vigorous flowering.
Landscape Uses
The compact nature and tolerance for moist soil make Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Little Doll’ an invaluable component in specialized garden designs. It excels as an edging plant along borders, providing a neat, low-growing transition between the lawn or pathway and taller perennials. Its ability to handle medium to wet conditions makes it perfect for rain gardens, where excess runoff can be absorbed naturally by robust, water-loving plants.
Consider using this Spiderwort in open woodland settings or naturalized areas where it can spread gently among hostas, ferns, and other moisture-loving woodland edge species. It looks stunning planted near the edges of streams or ponds, where the reflected light seems to enhance its light blue blooms. The dense clumping habit also makes it effective in mass plantings to create drifts of color that contrast nicely with fine-textured foliage plants.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Tradescantia, commonly called spiderworts, offers showy, three-petaled flowers and attractive foliage, with the Andersoniana Group being popular cultivated hybrids. ‘Little Doll’ is specifically noted for being compact, growing to only 10 inches tall, and bearing light blue flowers accented by bright yellow stamens. Individual flowers last only a single day, but the plant presents numerous buds that open in succession from late May onward, while its arching, dark green, iris-like leaves generally retain their form well throughout the season.
Tolerances
- Wet Soil
Potential Problems
This Spiderwort generally displays good pest and disease resistance, making it a reliable choice for low-pesticide gardening. The main cultural risk involves slugs and snails, which find the young, tender shoots quite appealing, especially in damp environments. Protect new growth early in the spring, perhaps using bait or copper tape barriers if pest pressure is high. A physiological challenge common to many tradescantias is mid-season decline; by mid-summer, the foliage can sprawl unattractively, necessitating the hard cutback mentioned in the culture section to stimulate fresh regrowth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Spiderwort suitable for?
Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Little Doll’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9, offering wide suitability across many climates.
How large does Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Little Doll’ grow?
This particular cultivar is quite petite, typically achieving a height between 0.75 and 1 foot and spreading anywhere from 0.75 to 1.5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Spiderwort need?
This plant performs best when situated in locations receiving full sun to part shade. Consistent moisture helps protect it in hotter, full-sun placements.
When does the plant bloom?
The primary bloom time for this Spiderwort variety is generally observed from May through June, exhibiting delicate light blue flowers.
Conclusion
The Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Little Doll’ is a garden gem, valued for its manageable stature, attractive light blue flowers, and impressive tolerance for wetter soil conditions. Its ability to be cut back for a late-season rejuvenation makes it a dependable performer throughout the warm months. Before planting, confirm that your hardiness zone falls between 4 and 9 and plan for its preferred moist soil to ensure the best display of this handsome Spiderwort.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Little Doll’, focus on plants that share its preference for medium to moist soil and can complement its mid-sized, clumping habit. Astilbe and Ligularia are excellent choices, thriving in similar sun/moisture regimes and adding contrasting textures of airy plumes or large, deep green leaves, respectively. Daylilies (Hemerocallis), especially dwarf varieties, pair well along borders as they appreciate similar sun exposure and can help mask any potential mid-summer foliage slump of the Spiderwort.
Propagation Tips
The easiest method for propagating Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) ‘Little Doll’ is through division, which should be performed in early spring before new growth becomes robust, or in early fall. To divide, carefully dig up the entire clump and gently tease apart the root sections, ensuring each new division has adequate roots and several growth nodes attached. Alternatively, stem cuttings taken during the active growing season root very readily, even in a simple glass of water, a characteristic shared by many members of the Commelinaceae family.
