Source: Donna Bos
Plant Names
Tradescantia ohiensis
Ohio Spiderwort
Tradescantie d'Ohio
Synonyms
smooth spiderwort
éphémère d'Ohio
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: Blue
Bloom Period: May - Jul
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 1.5 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates dry soil condition
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Spreads by rhizome
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
This plant is endangered
This plant is septic tank safe
This plant causes skin rashes
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Fun Facts
Ohio Spiderwort is a hardy native perennial that forms upright clumps of long, narrow, blue-green leaves. Clusters of three-petalled blue to violet flowers appear from late spring through summer. Individual flowers often open in the morning and close by afternoon, with new flowers continuing to appear over an extended period. It is an excellent choice for prairie gardens, sunny borders, meadows, and naturalized plantings.
Ohio Spiderwort forms clumps and can spread gradually by short rhizomes and self-seeding. It is generally well behaved, although it can become fairly vigorous in rich, moist soil. It is very tolerant of drought once established. It can be divided in spring or fall if the clump becomes too large. The foliage can become somewhat floppy or untidy later in summer; cutting it back is an easy way to refresh the plant. Although each flower lasts only a short time, the plant produces new flowers repeatedly, giving it a surprisingly long flowering season.
Ohio Spiderwort forms clumps and can spread gradually by short rhizomes and self-seeding. It is generally well behaved, although it can become fairly vigorous in rich, moist soil. It is very tolerant of drought once established. It can be divided in spring or fall if the clump becomes too large. The foliage can become somewhat floppy or untidy later in summer; cutting it back is an easy way to refresh the plant. Although each flower lasts only a short time, the plant produces new flowers repeatedly, giving it a surprisingly long flowering season.
Plant Location
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Thrives in Ecozones
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Tradescantia ohiensis
No butterfly data available for this plant.
Specialized Bees Supported by Tradescantia ohiensis
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- Anemone virginiana
Tall Anemone
Anémone de Virginie - Blephilia ciliata
Downy Wood Mint
Bléphilie ciliée - Oenothera fruticosa
Narrow-leaved Evening-primrose
Onagre frutescente - Polanisia dodecandra
Red-whiskered Clammyweed
Polanisie à douze - Sporobolus heterolepis
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobole à glumes inégales
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Pennisetum setaceum (Fountain Grass)
- Hemerocallis (Daylily)
- Baptisia (False Indigo)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
- Sow by December
- Stratification duration: 120 days
- Self-seeding
- Notes: Best planted outdoors in fall in cool soil.
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: July
- Harvesting indicator:
- Pods are slightly open and seeds inside are dark
- Harvesting:
- Cut stem (including pods), let air dry in paper bag, then shake seeds off after a few days
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
- Seed storage:
- Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- Remove non-seed material
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
The sap can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Wear gloves when handling the plant if you have sensitive skin. Ingestion may also cause stomach upset.
Canadensis