Tradescantia 'Purple Dome' (Spiderwort) — perennial

Overview

Tradescantia 'Purple Dome' is a perennial in the genus Tradescantia, part of the Commelinaceae family. Tradescantia 'Purple Dome' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates well-drained soils. Suggested uses include ground cover, borders and containers.

About

Tradescantia 'Purple Dome' is a perennial in the family Commelinaceae used as ground cover, in borders and containers. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Plants produce their flowers in the UK from June to September. Suitable for planting where a low, perennial layer is required.

About the genus

Tradescantia is a genus of 85 species of herbaceous perennial wildflowers in the family Commelinaceae, native to the Americas from southern Canada to northern Argentina, including the West Indies. Members of the genus are known by many common names, including inchplant, wandering jew, wandering dude, spiderwort, dayflower and trad.

Wikipedia contributors, "Tradescantia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Tradescantia

In the garden

Tradescantia 'Purple Dome' sits within the Commelinaceae and is grown as a perennial for ground cover, edging and container planting. It establishes a low-growing layer useful between taller perennials or at the front of a border, and also adapts to pots where soil conditions are kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Position the plant where it receives full sun or a degree of afternoon shade; both aspects suit it. Select a free-draining, moisture-retentive soil — the plant needs soil that drains freely yet remains evenly moist. In containers use a compost that allows excess water to escape and avoid compacted mixtures that hold water against the roots. Tradescantia 'Purple Dome' works well where a reliable perennial ground cover is required, and it can be placed beneath shrubs that cast light shade or along mixed herbaceous borders. Regularly check that soil remains moist through dry spells to maintain healthy growth. It flowers in the UK from June to September, offering several months of seasonal interest when in bloom.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Tradescantia

Sunlight: full sun, partial shade
Soil type: well-drained
Soil moisture: moist

Plant details

Tradescantia 'Purple Dome' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: perennial
Suggested uses: ground cover, borders, containers

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Tradescantia 'Purple Dome'

Cultivation: Prefers well-drained soil and moderate watering; tolerates some drought once established.
Pruning: Remove spent flowers and trim back to maintain shape.
Propagation: stem cuttings