Tradescantia Ocean Blue - Spiderwort

'Ocean Blue' spiderwort is a horticultural hybrid of Tradescantia with origins in both Americas (Tradescantia ohiensis, T.subaspera, T virginiana). All these plants belong to the commelinaceae family. It is a herbaceous perennial with above-ground vegetation emerging in spring and disappearing in winter forming a dense clump about 60 cm (24in) tall and spreading about 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in). Its glossy dark green foliage is similar to grass with single, long and narrow leaves, tapering to a point, arching and sheathed on a tubular stem. Flowering begins in June and lasts all summer if the soil remains moist. It takes the form of flat flowers, composed of 3 wide petals, with contrasting yellow stamens, simple and pure, but ephemeral. They open in pairs carried in small bouquets or terminal cymes at the top of stiff floral stems. Each flower only 'lives' for a few hours, but they continually renew above the foliage.

The 'Ocean Blue' Virginia spiderwort is easy to grow in moist to wet soil, preferably humus-bearing. It thrives in partial shade, displaying its delicate colour to its full potential, which is too washed out in full sun. It is happy on a bank and appreciates the company of Persicaria, Carex, tiarellas, and Hostas, as a contrast of foliage. In any moist soil, shaded rockery, woodland, or border, its pastel flowering illuminates shady areas, it looks stunning when combined with other perennials with blue flowers such as Symphytum azureum. It makes a good ground cover and grows well in pots or hanging baskets, in partial shade, with regular watering.