Description

Key Information:

Soil: Mesic (Medium) – Xeric (Dry).
Sun: Full Sun – Part Sun
Height: 10-24″
Bloom Color: Pink – Violet
Bloom Season: June – July

More Information:

Suggested Uses: Western Spiderwort is a beautiful wildflower that will grow on a variety dry of soil types including acidic and sandy soils. It is deer resistant and is valued by native bees.

Native Range: Native to the Great Plains. T. occidentalis’ range is larger than that of T. bracteata, including some areas in the Southwest. Those found in the Southwest are a slightly different variety (var. scopulorum) than those found in Minnesota. Native to the Mississippi River Valley in Minnesota, as well as some areas along the western border.

Pollinators: Bees! The flowers are nectarless but they provide a valuable pollen source.

Flowers: The 1-2″ flowers have 3 petals, 3 sepals, 6 yellow stamens.

Leaves: The leaves are about 15 inches long and 1 inch wide, linear and folded lengthwise.

Name: Named for John Tradescant – Royal gardener for King Charles I.

More information: USDA plant profile

Photo credit: Jean-Pol Grandmont