Great for beds and borders, meadows and prairies and naturalized areas. Spiderworts can easily be propagated with tip cuttings which should be taken in the spring or early summer. unfortunately, it’s a step I’ve sometimes ignored it in my haste.). Often grown as an annual or as a houseplant. Speedwell (Veronica) Divide in spring or late summer/early fall. Keep the pot moist, and in about two months the plant should have rooted. Spiderwort, Tradescantia virginiana, a spring-blooming flower with long, strappy leaves, is a very hardy North American native perennial that is widely grown for its weeks-long bloom period. In spring, divide plants just as new growth emerges. You can cut the stems back about eight to twelve inches (20-30.5 cm.) (This step is especially important for plants that are harder to replant – like trees and shrubs. These clumps are big enough to divide into four pieces each. The flowers are usually 1 inch wide, violet-purple, and often very floppy. Pull the tubers apart into 2 to 3 smaller clusters using your fingers. Dividing and Re-Potting Spiderwort (Part 3 of Container Gardening) - Duration: 9:28. : Tradescantia. Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana)— Spiderworts are rapidly speading plants. Mid-summer is a terrible time to move or divide anything, but I think these guys will survive – thanks to good watering and the severe haircut they’d already received. 3. But while they have their new haircuts it’s a great time to also divide the two larger clumps in order to cover some bare ground in my perennial border and simply produce a larger, fuller mass of this perennial favorite of mine. Divide every 3-4 years in spring or late summer/early fall. Flowers: Spring to autumn, dependent on species and location. with a shovel. Tradescantia are grown in the garden as hardy or half hardy perennials.. Organic_Enough 4,448 views. It's time to start planning to dig, divide and transplant perennial native plants. Divide clumps when plants become over crowded. While a name like spiderwort may not sound like something you'd want around, this resilient perennial should have a home in everyone’s garden. Gardeners can cut back the stems to around 8 to 12-inches, and divide the plants every three years. Divide every 2 or 3 years in spring. Of course be careful as the native spiderworts can become aggressive if planted in moist rich soil.In my garden the spiderworts enjoy … Luckily each plant produces many of them, in leisurely succession. Also, it is best to divide very large plants like poppy mallow and sunflower in spring. All the perennials listed above are easy to cut through but none easier than this Spiderwort, which I'd never divided before. Ohio Spiderwort is very adaptable and tolerates loam, clay, gravel, or sand soils. Native: Central and North America. In the wild they can be found in dry, sandy, sunny sites where they will bloom for a short time. Deadhead to encourage additional blooming. Plant them in spring about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) Cut back to 6-12 in. Keep in mind that spiderwort seeds itself all over, so be vigilant about pulling out unwanted seedlings. Use a shovel or a flat-edge spade to slice around the outer perimeter of the plant. For propagation and to contain their spreading growth, Spiderwort plants should be divided every 3-4 years in either the spring or in early fall. My favorite perennial-dividing knives are steak knives from the dollar store – 4 for a dollar. from the ground. Spiderwort seeds collected from hybrid varieties may not come true to the original color. is a clumping perennial, often planted as an ornamental. The violet flowers were no more, the foliage was looking ratty, and it was time to prune these Spiderworts (Tradescantia virginiana) and prune ’em hard. As the petals fade, they become almost translucent, giving them t… (This step is especially important for plants that are harder to replant - like trees and shrubs. Now, dig up the plant that you’re going to divide. They gradually get dull, so I have to buy another 4-pack every few years but it's still the cheapest tool in the shed. Spiderwort has a kind of messy, grass-like form punctuated with quarter-sized flowers that last only one day. Slice through the root mass with a knife to produce good-sized chunks. Seeds can also be planted. Cut your plants back after the flowering season ends, allowing for overwintering of the plant. Spiderwort, genus of about 75 species of erect to trailing weak-stemmed herbs in the family Commelinaceae. The root base of a spider plant is made up of water-rich tuberous roots. 5. … unfortunately, it's a step I've sometimes ignored it in my haste.). Anyway, it beats letting them look ratty for the rest of the season. Dip it in rooting hormone, then place it into a small pot with planting medium up to the base of the leaf. It can become invasive if planted in a mixed bed. Place the new divisions in the garden where you want them, then step away from those plants! After the first slice I declared aloud: “Cuts like buttah” (with apologies to a famous Saturday Night Live sketch). In this heat, I’ll keep watering daily for a few days, then keep an eye on them for the rest of the season. When you grow the plants in a row the roots can get fairly tangled, but Spiderwort roots hold up far better than other plants … Place the new divisions in the garden where you want them, then step away from those plants! With any luck, they'll grow new foliage and look good again in a couple of weeks or so. With any luck, they’ll grow new foliage and look good again in a couple of weeks or so. Spiderworts are easy to grow in any soil or light conditions including sand and clay. Slice through the root mass with a knife to produce good-sized chunks. Then divide the clump into pieces that contain four to six shoots each with roots attached. Spiderworts can be grown from purchased plants or propagated through division, cuttings or seed. in mid-summer to promote new growth and a possible fall bloom. Setcreasea Growing and Care Guide. Cut a stem late in the season. Water well. Apply a balanced fertilizer in the spring before new growth emerges, but don’t overfertilize spiderwort, which causes weak, spindly growth and few blooms. Once the plants were lifted, I divided each plant using the knife to chip at the soil. In this heat, I'll keep watering daily for a few days, then keep an eye on them for the rest of the season. Use a hatchet or another sharp gardening tool to split the entire plant in half. Syn. Many Tradescantia species have attractive foliage, … Common Names: Setcretia, Wandering Jew, Spiderwort, Purple heart. Separate the tubers to divide the plant. The plant will be injured by this procedure, but it will flourish after you replant it. Anyway, it beats letting them look ratty for the rest of the season. A general rule of thumb is to divide spring- or summer-blooming plants in fall, and late-summer- or fall-blooming plants in the spring. Once established, spiderwort spreads rapidly. Those found in moist woods and roadsides seem to grow the longest. Dig up completely, as in the picture above. My favorite perennial-dividing knives are steak knives from the dollar store - 4 for a dollar. Virtually pest and disease free. These plants may not have the showiest blooms, but they certainly make up for it with quantity. Most . All the perennials listed above are easy to cut through but none easier than this Spiderwort, which I’d never divided before. This should be done either in the spring or fall. 2. Of course, seedlings that are easy to share make it a great passalong plant. Spiderwort can be divided by digging up the entire plant, including the root structure. Spiderwort enjoys moist soil, especially in containers. A network of roots grows from each tuber. Once the plant stops blooming cut foliage back almost to the ground to encourage a repeat fall bloom. Life Cycle: Half-hardy perennial. Divide … Snails will eat the young shoots. 3. You can do this with a spade or a fork, but make sure you dig up the entire plant and as much of the root system as you can. Divide plants in spring. Divide spiderwort plants into clumps in early spring every few years to keep them from overcrowding. spiderwort | From questions on houseplant health, to the best time to plant bulbs, to how to decorate your front porch, this is the garden blog for you! That’ll keep them from losing lots of moisture through the leaves. Spiderwort the ediable weed - Unusual Food # 31 - Duration: 6:57. The easiest way to propagate spiderwort is to divide an existing plant and replant the division. 1. Dividing plants is easy. Water well. But while they have their new haircuts it's a great time to also divide the two larger clumps in order to cover some bare ground in my perennial border and simply produce a larger, fuller mass of this perennial favorite of mine. Spiderwort (Tradescantia spp.) Stonecrop (Sedum) Divide in spring. My favorite perennial-dividing knives are steak knives from the dollar store – 4 for a dollar. 2. For more flowers, you want to plant them in sunnier spots. Tends to be short-lived. With any luck, they'll grow new foliage and look good again in a couple of weeks or so. Literally - step back so you can check to make sure that's where you want them. Tradescantia ohiensis × Tradescantia virginiana → A relatively common spiderwort hybrid that is known from CT, MA, ME, NH. Spiderwort (Tradescantia) Divide every 2-3 years in spring. Stem cuttings will also produce a plant. Spiderwort related species: Tradescantia virginiana is the original species and is still found in many old country gardens. Warning: Rabbits adore this plant! Dig up completely, as in the picture above. That'll keep them from losing lots of moisture through the leaves. How to Divide Spiderworts, Hostas, Tall Sedums, Liriope, etc. Davidsonville 410.798.5000 Severna Park 410.384.7966 Dig up completely, as in the picture above. Spiderwort plants do best in partial shade but will do equally well in sunny areas as long as the soil is kept moist. The violet flowers were no more, the foliage was looking ratty, and it was time to prune these Spiderworts (Tradescantia virginiana) and prune 'em hard. Learn more about spiderwort plants in this article. Find help & information on Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Isis' spider lily 'Isis' from the RHS Growing Spiderwort Indoors Divisions placed where I want them, before planting. Actually cutting the plants back once flowering has ceased can often help to promote a second bloom and it will help prevent re-seeding. 9:28. How to Prune a Spider Plant. Uses for spiderwort: Although fine in the sunny border, the newer spiderworts are best in areas of open shade, especially under tall trees. ... Divide every 2 or 3 years in spring. Pests and Potential Problems Virginia spiderwort is relatively pest and disease free. How to Divide Spiderworts, Hostas, Tall Sedums, Liriope, etc. How to Grow Tradescantia Plants Guide to Growing Spiderwort, Wandering Jew, and Trinity flower. 1. 1. You can also divide it. Immediately plant and water the divisions. It can be identified by the presence of sparse pubescence on the pedicels and/or apart. With slender, graceful foliage and bright jewel-tone blossoms, spiderworts are easy to use in any garden design. Cutting them back also prevents the seeding of the plant as well. They range in height from 30 to 90 cm. Similar Color Plants Immediately after the spiderwort plant blooms, unattractive foliage will be present. After it finishes blooming, the foliage gets ratty-looking, so cut it back. Give it its own space, if possible, and divide it every 3 or 4 years to keep it under control. How to Divide Spiderworts (And Other Perennials) The violet flowers were no more, the foliage was looking ratty, and it was time to prune these Spiderworts (Tradescantia virginiana) and prune 'em hard. Growing Region: Zones 9 to 10. Spiderwort is exceedingly easy to grow. The plants are native to the Americas, and several species are grown as indoor plants in baskets. 5. deep and 8 to 12 inches (20-30.5 cm.) Mid-summer is a terrible time to move or divide anything, but I think these guys will survive - thanks to good watering and the severe haircut they'd already received. Height: 16 to 20 inches (50—75 cm). Slice through the root mass with a knife to produce good-sized chunks. Since the spiderwort plant is a vigorous grower, it is advisable to divide the plants in spring every 3 years. 2. Simply dig up the entire clump and then carefully divide the crown and root ball into two or more section, depending on the size of the clump. This often spurs a new flush of growth and a second wave of flowers. Literally – step back so you can check to make sure that’s where you want them. After the first slice I declared aloud: "Cuts like buttah" (with apologies to a famous Saturday Night Live sketch). Do this several inches away from the plant and its … Spider plants are one of the easiest houseplants to care for, but don't worry if yours develops a few brown leaves. perennials divided in late summer/early fall (mid-August through September) should be mulched in November. They gradually get dull, so I have to buy another 4-pack every few years but it’s still the cheapest tool in the shed. Spiderwort is fantastic in any part-sun location. 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