The Native Plant Store can Now be Found Here

  • This page will remain accessible as a library page until I have all the species moved to the new page and all the quirks worked out in the new software so it can function as a searchable library.
  • Please see the Using the Plant Library  page  for some tips on how to make the most of the information in this existing library to select species for creating a healthy native plant community suited to the conditions of your site.

Tradescantia ohiensis, Ohio Spiderwort

Tradescantia ohiensis

Ohio Spiderwort

  • Thrives in full sun or light shade
  • Likes consistent moisture. In dryer settings, look for locations with partial shade.
  • Grows to roughly 36" tall and 12" to 18" wide
  • Early Summer Blooms
  • Garden, meadow and open woodland settings.

A species that will show their best in a community, these thrive in mixed gardens and in meadow settings. They generally grow to between 2’ and 3’ tall and, if isolated in a garden without some support, they have a definite tendency to topple over.
They will keep blooming in their toppled state, but won’t show their pretty purple-blue blossoms to their best effect.

I’ve found that they will tolerate a bit of shade but really are at their best with six or more hours of sun each day. Morning sun especially, since hot afternoon sun seems to hurry the closing of their morning blooming flowers.

I haven’t found that they are very particular when it comes to soil type but they do seem to be happier with consistent moisture, or at least a good drink now and then in periods of extended drought.

From a spread standpoint, I’m put them in roughly the same category as daylilies (the garden varieties, rather than the fast-spreading orange ones), with individual plants growing considerably taller than they are wide but patches eventually forming.


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Species that were not sown / aren't being sown for 2023 are marked with an * 
Species that are native to this continent, but not historically native to Ontario are marked with a ~ 
While it rarely comes up, I do reserve the right to limit plant quantities, mostly to help ensure that as many native plant gardens as possible become a reality
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