Tradescantia andersoniana Red Grape - Spiderwort

The 'Red Grape' Spiderwort is a horticultural hybrid of Tradescantia whose origins lie in both Americas (Tradescantia ohiensis, T.subaspera, T virginiana). All these plants belong to the Commelinaceae family. It is a herbaceous perennial, with its above-ground vegetation emerging in spring and disappearing in winter. This forms a dense clump about 45 cm (18in) tall and spreads over 40 cm (16in). Its glossy green-blue foliage resembles grasses with simple, long and narrow, arching leaves, tapering to a point sheathed on a tubular stem. Flowering begins in June and lasts all summer if the soil remains moist. The flowers are flat, composed of 3 wide petals, with contrasting yellow stamens, original and pure in their simplicity. They open in pairs and are carried in small bunches at the top of stiff flower stalks. Each flower 'lives' only a few hours, but they continuously renew themselves above the foliage.

The 'Red Grape' Virginia Spiderwort is easy to grow if it has moist to wet soil, preferably humus-bearing. This variety flowers more profusely in the sun, provided the soil does not dry out, but it thrives more easily in partial shade, where the soil remains moist. Very comfortable on a riverbank, it appreciates the company of Persicaria, Carex, Tiarella, Hostas, in contrast to the foliage. In any moist soil, rockery, woodland, or borders, its vibrant flowering illuminates the partially shaded areas and looks stunning when paired with perennials with blue flowers like Symphytum azureum. It makes a good ground cover. It also grows well in pots or hanging baskets, in partial shade, with regular watering.