tharp's spiderwort
Tradescantia tharpii
USDA zones4 to 9
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterNeeds moderate soil
Size6 to 12 inches tall6 to 12 inches wide
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Rose to purple
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
Garden uses
Notes
Tharp's spiderwort (Tradescantia tharpii) is a perennial for woodland gardens, meadows, and naturalized areas. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade, average moisture, and sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It stays low, at 6 to 12 inches tall, and bears rose to purple flowers in mid to late spring and again in early to mid summer. Unlike other spiderworts, it does not go dormant and brown out in midsummer.
Pairs well with Wood lily, Western sword fern, and Yellow trout-lily.
Native range
Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.