​Tradescantia ohiensis, Ohio Spiderwort

A species that are at their best in a community, these thrive in mixed gardens and in meadow settings. They generally grow to between 2’ and 3’ tall and, if isolated in a garden, without some support from neighbours, they have a definite tendency to topple over. They will keep blooming in their toppled state, but won’t show their pretty purple-blue blossoms to their best effect.

I’ve found that they will tolerate a bit of shade but really are at their best with six or more hours of sun each day. Morning sun especially, since hot afternoon sun seems to hurry the closing of their morning blooming flowers.

I haven’t found that they are very particular when it comes to soil type but they do seem to be happier with consistent moisture, or at least a good drink now and then in periods of extended drought.

From a spread standpoint, I’m put them in roughly the same category as daylilies (the garden varieties, rather than the fast-spreading orange ones), with individual plants growing considerably taller than they are wide but patches eventually forming.

It took me a couple of years to get the hang of seed saving with these. The sepals stay green through the seed maturation and the pods open and drop the seeds without any obvious signs of ripeness that can be spotted just by glancing at the flowering head. I needed to get right in and check the individual seed pods every few days and gather them at the first signs of drying.

Surprisingly quick to grow from seed, these form strong, fleshy roots and lots of foliage in their first year and can start blooming in their second summer.

Companions for these in a mixed garden/meadow setting with moderate moisture availability include Golden Alexander, Calico Aster, Heartleaved Aster, Stiff-Leaved Goldenrod, Grey Headed Prairie Coneflower, Sundrops, Hairy Beardtongue, Sneezeweed, Spotted St. John’s Wort, Flat-top White Aster, Swamp Milkweed, Anise Hyssop, Little Bluestem and Nodding Fescue.