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Ohio Spiderwort

Tradescantia ohiensis

Delightful addition to plantings; prolific in flower beds

 

$3.00$254.00

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Description

Tradescantia ohiensis, also known as Ohio spiderwort, is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial which grows up to 3′ tall with dark bluish-green, arching, grass-like leaves.

Wildlife notes

The most important pollinators of the flowers are long-tongued bees, especially bumblebees. Other visitors include Halictine bees and Syrphid flies. However, the Syrphid flies feed on stray pollen and are non-pollinating. Spiderwort is rarely bothered by insects, although Lema collaris (Leaf Beetle sp.) reportedly feeds on the foliage. Mammalian herbivores also eat the plant, including the White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit, Box Turtles, and livestock. The foliage is non-toxic to these animals.

Forage notes

Livestock will eat this plant.

Landscaping notes

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Very tolerant of part shade, but bloom may be less profuse. Prefers moist, acidic, sandy soil. Divide clumps when they become overcrowded. Cut back to 6-12″ in mid-summer to encourage new growth and a possible fall bloom. An interesting perennial for the border, naturalized area, meadow or open spaces of the woodland garden.

Restoration notes

A Missouri native plant that is commonly found in prairies, wood margins, meadows, along roadsides, or in waste areas.   Other habitats include sandy black oak savannas, Bur Oak savannas, limestone glades, thickets and woodland borders, moist meadows near woods or rivers, roadside ditches, and areas along railroads. Plants are usually widely scattered, but sometimes appear in sizable colonies in disturbed areas. Ohio Spiderwort is often included in conservation mixes due to its wildlife food and habitat value.

This plant is commonly used in the following mixes: Wet Meadow Mix
Videos About This Plant

To learn more about this plant, check out our videos about it and its uses.

Native Woodland Wildflowers

Additional information

Weight N/A
Unit

Packet, Ounce, Pound

Light

Full Sun to Part Shade

Seeding Rate

6 bulk lbs/acre, 5.4 PLS lbs/acre

Soils

Average

Height

24"-36"

Bloom Month

Jun, Jul

Color

Purple

Specialty Uses

Edible

Cattle Palatability

Good

What is PLS?

Pure Live Seed (PLS) is the portion of good viable seed per pound. It is a measure of the seed that is alive and able to sprout into plants. This product is sold by PLS ounce/pound. To provide one ounce/pound of viable seed, you will receive more than one ounce/pound of product. Read more about PLS here.