(Tradescantia occidentalis ‘Prairie Spiderwort’)
Prairie Spiderwort is a native clump-forming perennial flower that can be commonly found growing in hill and elevated sand prairies, and along roadsides and railroads throughout the mid-west and central United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2' and features branching stems, long narrow leaves, and 3 petaled violet-blue flowers that have yellow anthers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer and rabbits, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
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General Information
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Germination
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Seedlings
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Harvesting
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Seed Saving
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Culinary
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Companion Planting
Genus: Tradescantia
Species: occidentalis
Variety: Prairie Spiderwort
Also Known As: Western Spiderwort
Native to: Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Manitoba, Mexico Northwest, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): June-July
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low
Soil Moisture: Dry, sandy or fine soils.
Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Attracts Bees, Butterflies, and resists Rabbits.
Containers: Yes
Height: 8-24”
Spacing: 12-15”
Sow Depth: 1/8"
USDA Zone: 4a-9b
Produces: branching stems, long narrow leaves, and 3 petaled violet-blue flowers that have yellow anthers.
Suggested Varieties
(Asclepias incarnata ‘Swamp’)
Swamp Milkweed is a native clump forming perennial flower that is commonly found growing in wet areas such as swamps and river edges throughout most of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 3-4' and features branching stems, 3-6” lance-shaped green leaves, and aromatic clusters of tiny pink flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, resistant to deer, tolerates drought, is used to make cordage and fabric, self sows, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower!