The Colorful Grace of Spiderworts
Few perennials embody such quiet charm and adaptability as the Spiderwort (Tradescantia). Also called Widow's Tears or Dayflowers, these hardy perennials dazzle gardeners with their delicate, three-petaled blooms that open with the morning light and fold gracefully by afternoon. Perfect for pollinator gardens, woodland edges, borders, and naturalized areas, Spiderworts deliver waves of jewel-toned color through late spring and summer.
- A Botanical & Historical Look
- Featured Varieties at Nature Hills
- Sweet Kate Spiderwort: Landscaping Uses
- Planting & Growing Tips
- Care & Maintenance
- Division & Propagation
- Petals of Poetry: A Closing Thought
Known for their violet, blue, or pink blossoms and grass-like foliage, Spiderworts are dependable, easy-to-grow, and surprisingly long-lived. Their flowers attract bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds while thriving in sun or partial shade.
From the golden-leaved Sweet Kate Spiderwort to the richly hued Amethyst Kiss and Concord Grape, these perennials add texture, color, and natural movement to the garden. If you're looking for an adaptable perennial that performs beautifully with little fuss, Spiderworts are a must-have.
A Botanical & Historical Look
Native to North America and belonging to the Commelinaceae family, Spiderworts have enchanted gardeners and herbalists for centuries. The genus name Tradescantia honors English naturalists John Tradescant the Elder and his son, who introduced many New World plants to Europe in the 1600s.
Their common name, "Widow's Tears", reflects the plant's tendency to exude a clear, sticky sap when the stems are broken - droplets that resemble tears in the sunlight. In folklore, Spiderworts were thought to bring good fortune and were once used in herbal remedies for minor wounds and inflammation.
Each Spiderwort features slender, arching leaves that resemble ornamental grasses, forming elegant mounds of green or gold foliage. The three-petaled flowers - typically about an inch across - sit atop slender stems in airy clusters. Blooms emerge in early summer, with each lasting just one day, but the plant produces so many buds that it remains in bloom for weeks or months.
Root systems are fibrous and moderately shallow, making Spiderworts excellent for stabilizing slopes or adding color to rain gardens.
Featured Varieties at Nature Hills
- Amethyst Kiss Spiderwort: Compact form with vibrant violet-blue flowers and glossy green foliage. Excellent for borders and mass plantings.
- Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis): Native beauty with sky-blue blooms that attract pollinators; thrives in wildflower or prairie gardens.
- Concord Grape Spiderwort: Deep purple blooms and upright habit; perfect for contrast in mixed perennial beds.
- Sweet Kate Spiderwort: Chartreuse foliage with rich purple flowers - a showstopper for shade gardens and borders alike.
Landscaping Uses
Spiderworts are natural multitaskers in the landscape. Their soft, flowing habit and vivid blooms make them a beautiful choice for cottage gardens, perennial borders, and woodland settings. They're perfect companions for Ferns, Hostas, Astilbes, Daylilies, and Catmint, as well as shade-loving annuals like Impatiens or Sunpatiens.
Use Sweet Kate Spiderwort's bright golden foliage as a luminous contrast to deep purples or dark greens. Concord Grape and Amethyst Kiss varieties shine in mass plantings or naturalized sweeps, where their blue-violet blooms catch the morning sun. For a native touch, Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) blends beautifully into prairie plantings and pollinator gardens, pairing well with Tall Ornamental Grasses, Rudbeckia, and Coneflowers.
Spiderworts also thrive near ponds or streams, softening the edges with their arching foliage and colorful accents - a peaceful addition to a meditation garden.
Planting & Growing Tips
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Light: Spiderworts thrive in full sun to partial shade. In hotter regions, afternoon shade helps preserve bloom color and prevent foliage scorch.
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Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil, slightly acidic soil, but adapts easily to most garden soils, including clay and sandy loam.
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Spacing: Plant 12-18 inches apart to allow good air circulation.
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Water: Keep soil evenly moist, especially during the first growing season. Once established, Spiderworts are moderately drought-tolerant but bloom best with consistent moisture. For guidance, try the simple Finger Test before watering.
- Companions: Excellent alongside perennial grasses, shrub roses, and Hydrangea bushes for layered color and texture.
Plant Spiderworts in spring or early fall to give roots time to settle before temperature extremes. A proper mulch layer helps retain soil moisture and keep roots cool.
Care & Maintenance
Spiderworts are refreshingly easy to care for, requiring little more than routine grooming to look their best.
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Deadheading: Trim back spent blooms to encourage fresh flowers and keep plants tidy.
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Pruning: After the main flowering flush, cut back the foliage by one-third to promote dense regrowth and possibly a lighter late-summer rebloom.
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Fertilizing: Feed in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer for perennials or compost.
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Watering: Maintain moderate watering during dry spells, following watering tips for healthy growth.
- Winter care: In colder zones, allow the foliage to die back naturally and mulch lightly over the root zone.
Division & Propagation
Spiderworts can form large clumps over time, so division every 3-4 years helps rejuvenate them and prevent crowding.
To divide:
- Dig up the clump in early spring or fall.
- Gently separate the roots into sections, ensuring each has several shoots.
- Replant divisions promptly and water well.
This not only keeps your Spiderworts healthy but also provides new plants to share or expand your garden's tapestry.
Petals of Poetry: A Closing Thought
Spiderworts teach a quiet lesson in resilience and grace. Their blossoms last but a day, yet they return again and again, painting the garden with fleeting, luminous color. Like morning dew or a whispered song, they remind us that beauty can be both delicate and enduring.
Plant Spiderworts where you can watch the sun kiss their blooms each morning - and let their daily rhythm bring you peace and wonder!
Happy Planting!