Prairie Spiderwort forms a low-growing patch of deep blue blooms in late spring to early summer. As with other spiderworts, the blooms are open in the morning until the sun gets hot, and then close to conserve energy—a process that results in an overall longer …
Prairie Spiderwort forms a low-growing patch of deep blue blooms in late spring to early summer. As with other spiderworts, the blooms are open in the morning until the sun gets hot, and then close to conserve energy—a process that results in an overall longer bloom period, and a great deal of morning pollinator activity.
This Spiderwort grows well in a variety of soils including hot dry spots where other plants may struggle. Long-lived, it forms attractive patches that spread easily by a rhizomatous root. Given the opportunity and the right conditions Prairie Spiderwort can spread aggressively, but it doesn’t usually out-compete other taller, well established plants. Consider planting it along with some later-blooming prairie flowers and grasses nearby, as the late summer foliage tends to look a little worn.
Prairie Spiderwort (Tradescantia bracteata) is easy to distinguish from Ohio Spiderwort (T. ohiensis) by its size – Prairie Spiderwort is shorter – and by the flower sepals, which are fuzzy on Prairie Spiderwort, but smooth on Ohio Spiderwort.
Native plants can be grown outside of their native range in the appropriate growing conditions. This map shows the native range, as well as the introduced range, of this species.
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Spiderwort is deer resistant.
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