Spiderwort (Tradescantia longipes)
Tradescantia longipes, or Spiderwort, is a compact, showy perennial native to the Ozarks, blooming purple in late spring.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The captivating Tradescantia longipes, commonly known as Spiderwort, offers vibrant color in the late spring garden. As a low-growing, clump-forming perennial endemic to specific rocky slopes in the Ozark region, it brings authentic native charm to shaded areas. Gardeners value this species for its delicate, deep blue-purple flowers which appear briefly throughout late spring.
Despite the ephemeral nature of its individual blooms—each flower lasting only a single day—a succession of buds ensures a continuous display of color from May into June. Tradescantia longipes creates neat, manageable clumps perfect for areas where taller perennials might overwhelm the space. While beautiful in bloom, gardeners must note the post-flowering foliage decline.
This faithful member of the Commelinaceae family provides texture with its arching, grass-like leaves. Cultivating this unique Spiderwort successfully requires matching its native preference for moist, well-drained soil in part shade conditions. It is a fantastic choice for woodland settings or specialized native plant collections.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Commelinaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Southern Missouri, northern Arkansas
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Spread: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Purple, bluish-purple
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Tradescantia longipes thrives when planted in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil. While generally adaptable, it shows a preference for slightly moist, acidic conditions, though it remains tolerant of poorer soils, which is beneficial for the native sites it occupies. Plant new clumps during the cooler times of the year—spring or fall—to minimize transplant shock.
Consistent moisture is key for this Spiderwort, so adhere to a medium watering schedule, ensuring the soil never dries out completely, especially during periods of active growth. Fertilization is rarely necessary, given its tolerance for average or even poor soils. The primary cultural task involves managing the foliage after the bloom period concludes.
Foliage of Tradescantia longipes can sprawl unattractively by mid-summer. To maintain a tidy appearance and encourage potential reblooming, cut the foliage back almost to the ground once flowering finishes. This pruning action promotes fresh, new growth. Be aware that in ideal conditions, this perennial can self-seed and spread gently throughout the garden area.
Landscape Uses
This native perennial truly excels in naturalistic settings where its low profile and vibrant bloom can shine without competition. Consider using Tradescantia longipes in rock gardens or within specialized native plant gardens where its Ozark heritage is appreciated. It blends beautifully under open woodland canopies or in shaded borders where dappled light prevails.
While Tradescantia longipes is appropriate for borders, be mindful of the mid-summer foliage decline; placing it near plants that emerge later can mask this temporary aesthetic shortcoming. It pairs well with other woodland-edge natives that share its preference for part shade and medium moisture, such as native ferns or hardy Geraniums. Consider naturalized areas where its tendency to self-seed creates pleasing drifts over time.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Tradescantia longipes, commonly called wild crocus, is a low-growing, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial endemic to rocky, wooded slopes in the Ozark region of Missouri and Arkansas. Mature clumps will reach 8” tall with a similar spread, supporting deep blue to purple, three-petaled flowers accented by fringed yellow stamens. These flowers open briefly, a few at a time, each for only one day, blooming in succession from terminal clusters from May to June. The species name longipes references the relatively long flower stalks, which can reach over 2” long.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Generally, this Spiderwort variety presents no serious insect or disease issues, offering a relatively low-risk addition to the garden. A potential issue to watch for involves garden pests, as young shoots are known to be susceptible to damage from snails. Furthermore, gardeners should anticipate that the foliage tends to sprawl or decline in an unattractive manner by mid-summer. Managing this by timely cutting back after flowering will mitigate the sprawl issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Spiderwort suitable for?
Tradescantia longipes is hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 9, making it widely adaptable across much of the temperate gardening regions.
How large does Tradescantia longipes grow?
This perennial is quite compact, reaching mature heights between 0.5 and 0.75 feet tall, with an equal spread of 0.5 to 0.75 feet.
What sun exposure does Spiderwort need?
This species requires part shade conditions to thrive best, avoiding intense, prolonged afternoon sun exposure.
When does Tradescantia longipes bloom?
The bloom time for this Spiderwort variety is typically from May to June, displaying lovely purple to bluish-purple flowers.
Conclusion
Tradescantia longipes is an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking an authentic, low-maintenance native perennial for shaded woodland or rock garden environments. Its reliable purple blooms in late spring offer significant ornamental value despite the mid-season foliage recession. Check your local USDA Hardiness Zone compatibility now and plan to incorporate this beautiful Spiderwort into your garden during the next optimal planting window.
Companion Planting
Selecting companions based on similar cultural needs strengthens the overall health of the planting area for Tradescantia longipes. Look for plants that also prefer part shade and consistently moist but well-drained soil. Suitable companions include native woodland genera such as Hosta (shade varieties), various hardy Ferns, or spring ephemerals like Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis).
Positioning taller, later-emerging shade plants near the Tradescantia longipes is advisable. This allows the foliage of competitors to grow up and mask the Tradescantia after it finishes flowering and its leaves begin to look untidy. This strategy ensures the shade border maintains visual interest throughout the entire growing season.
Design Ideas for Woodland Gardens
Because Tradescantia longipes forms dense, low clumps, it functions perfectly as an effective groundcover or edging plant along winding woodland paths. Its structure holds up well against the base of established deciduous trees, provided the canopy is not too dense. Use drifts of this Spiderwort rather than single specimens to maximize the visual impact of its bluish-purple flowers in spring.
For a truly native Ozark inspired planting, pair Tradescantia longipes with other shade-tolerant Missouri natives like Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) or Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense). The fine texture of the Spiderwort contrasts pleasantly against the broader leaves of many woodland understory plants. Ensure the soil remains slightly acidic to cater to this plant’s known preference.
