Tradescantia spathacea

Tradescantia spathacea (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: All year round

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30cm

Eventual Spread: 50cm

Hardiness: 9b, 10a, 10b, 11

Family: Commelinaceae

Tradescantia spathacea is an evergreen herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its glossy dark green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, purple on their undersides, up to 30cm long and 7cm across. Its white flowers are 3 petalled and emerge from purple bracts. Its roots have fleshy rhizomes which aids its spread.

Tradescantia spathacea, commonly known as Boat Lily or Moses In The Cradle, Christ In The Cradle and Oyster Plant, is native to south Mexico and Central America. In its native habitat it grows as a woodland understory plant in sub tropical and warm temperate regions. This species of plant is considered to be invasive in parts of the USA. This plant may cause dermal irritation in some people.

The etymological root of the binomial name Tradescantia is named after John Tradescant (1608-1662) who served as gardener to Charles 1 of England. Spathacea is derived from the Greek spaqh meaning ‘broad blade’, in reference to the spathes which enclose this plants flowers.

The landscape architect may find Tradescantia spathacea useful as an evergreen house plant with lush tropical foliage. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.

Tradescantia spathacea Leaf (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Tradescantia spathacea flowers are attractive to some pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given the variety Tradescantia spathacea ‘Vittata’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Tradescantia spathacea prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

When maintaining Tradescantia spathacea as a houseplant its soil should be watered regularly (but not wet). Watering should be reduced during the winter months. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 18ºc to 27ºc, although it will tolerate temperatures as low as 0ºc. Feeding with weak fertiliser solution should be carried out once a month during the growing season. Mealy Bugs, Scale Insects, Whiteflies and Red Spider Mites may attack this plant. To keep a tidy appearance this plant may be pruned in spring.



Landscape Architecture

Tradescantia zebrina

Tradescantia zebrina (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Sporadic

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 15cm

Eventual Spread: 1.8m

Hardiness: 9b, 10a, 10b, 11

Family: Commelinaceae

Tradescantia zebrina is a fast growing evergreen perennial with a spreading habit. Its dark green and silver striped leaves are elliptic to lanceolate with entire margins, up to 7cm long and 3cm across. Its fleshy stems may send down roots where they touch moist soil. Its rose coloured flowers are 3 petalled, small and appear terminally.

Tradescantia zebrina Leaf (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Tradescantia zebrina, commonly known as Spiderwort, Wandering Jew or Silver Inch Plant, is native to Mexico and Central America. In its native habitat it grows in open woodland in sub tropical and warm temperate regions. Tradescantia zebrina is synonymous with Zebrina pendula, Tradescantia pendula and Tradescantia tricolor. This plant is considered as a Category 1b Invasive Species in South Africa.

The etymological root of the binomial name Tradescantia is named after John Tradescant (1608-1662) who served as gardener to Charles 1 of England. Zebrina is from the Latin and refers to this plant being striped like a Zebra.

Tradescantia zebrina Trailing (28/02/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Tradescantia zebrina useful as an evergreen house plant with a trailing or hanging habit. It should be noted that the sap of this plant may cause skin irritation.

Ecologically, Tradescantia zebrina is of little value to UK wildlife.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given Tradescantia zebrina their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Tradescantia zebrina Flower Bud (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Tradescantia zebrina prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

When maintaining  Tradescantia zebrina as a houseplant its soil should be watered regularly. Watering should be reduced during the winter months. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 18ºc to 24ºc. Feeding with weak fertiliser solution should be carried out once a month during the growing season. Aphids and Vine Weevils may attack this plant. Regular pruning of old growth will encourage a fuller healthier plant.



Landscape Architecture

Tradescantia x andersoniana ‘Sweet Kate’

Tradescantia x andersoniana ‘Sweet Kate’ (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Summer to early autumn

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 30cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Commelinaceae

Tradescantia x andersoniana ‘Sweet Kate’ is a herbaceous perennial with a grass-like tufted habit.  It yellow green leaves are strap like with entire margins, with parallel venation and a centre groove held on tubular stems. Its blue/ purple flowers have contrasting yellow stamens and are composed of three petals. Each flower will only bloom for a single day. Its root are rhizomes which aids its spread.

Tradescantia x andersoniana, commonly known as Spiderwort, is likely to be a cross between Tradescantia ohioensis, Tradescantia subspera and Tradescantia virginiana. This plant may be invasive given the right  conditions.

The etymological root of the binomial name Tradescantia is named after John Tradescant (1608-1662) who served as gardener to Charles 1 of England. Andersoniana is named after Edgar Anderson (1897 – 1969), an American botanist.

The landscape architect may Tradescantia x andersoniana ‘Sweet Kate’ is useful as a low maintenance perennial tolerant shady locations with a long flowering period. It also naturalises effectively and is suitable for ground-cover in woodland schemes.

Tradescantia x andersoniana ‘Sweet Kate’ Flower (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically,  Tradescantia x andersoniana ‘Sweet Kate’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Tradescantia virginiana prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers an acidic pH of soil. It will tolerate wet soils.

Tradescantia virginiana requires little to no care. To keep a tidy appearance this plant may be cut to ground level once flowering is complete in early winter. Large clumps may be divided in autumn to increase plant numbers.

Landscape Architecture