Tradescantia Blue

Class

Monocotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Commelinaceae

Order

Commelinales

Genus

Tradescantia

Species

x andersoniana

Description

Deciduous perennial ornamental herbaceous plant, up to 60 cm tall. Appreciated for its blossom that rises from the dense foliage, lending elegance and colour to gardens, in flowerbeds or borders, and to terraces in pots or tubs, also in compositions with other species.

Variety description

Perennial plant with a spring-summer flowering. Ideal for use in rock gardens and hanging gardens. Flowering is very long-lasting.

Curiosities and special features

Approximately 65 species belong to the botanical genus Tradescantia, including some used as indoor plants such as Tradescantia fluminensis and Tradescantia zebrina, while others are suitable for adorning gardens and terraces such as the hybrid T. x andersoniana (Andersoniana Group).

Origin and distribution

Hybrid obtained by crosses between species belonging to the same botanical genus, native to Central and South America.

Flower size

The flower individually is small, grouped together with others in an elegant inflorescence.

Leaf

Leafs have elongated lamina.

Flowering period

It flowers from mid-spring to early autumn for a duration of 60 to 90 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbrella.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured leaf, in perfect colour balance with the shades of the inflorescences.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.3 to 0.6 m.

Lifespan

Herbaceous perennial. It loses its aerial part in winter and then vegetates again the following spring.

Where to plant

Versatile, it is suitable for decorating flower beds, planters, rock gardens, outdoor tubs

Stem

The stem is herbaceous and the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a gamopetalous corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in small umbel inflorescences. It flowers from mid-spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 60 and 90 days. It is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Growth

Variety with medium to vigorous growth.

Plant habit

The habitus is erect.

Branching

It develops with medium branching.

PH

It requires a slightly acidic soil or growing medium pH of between 6.0 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in mid-spring, carry out light digging, removing weeds, any previous crop residues and bulky stones. In addition, add professional-quality substrate to the surface by approximately 5/10 cm, levelling out carefully with a rake.

Sun exposure

Exposures in half shade, full sun are suggested for best growth and flowering results.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 22 °C. The vital temperature is between -10 and 35 °C

Use

Variety suitable as a plant in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Variety of medium hardiness, fears prolonged waterlogging.

Soil

For proper vegetative growth and luxuriant flowering, the ideal soil for Tradescantia x andersoniana is medium-textured, structured and well draining. Soils that are too heavy reduce the development of the vegetation. For pots and tubs, choose a new, high-quality substrate for spring plants.

Difficulty

Easy to cultivate, it requires a low level of management effort following proper establishment in the new planting site.

Growing tips

To prevent root rot and yellowing of the vegetation, it is advisable to

Avoid over-watering

Combinations with other plants

Ideal for compact and colourful ornamental compositions, also in combination with flowerings with different heights in order to create perspective views; the colour combinations may involve shades of the same hue or an alternation by composing patterns or patterns according to personal fantasy. Colour spots or simple borders can be formed with other species such as Bergenia, Hosta and Lysimachia. Even in a smaller space such as pots or tubs, it can be placed alternately with plants with green or variegated foliage or by combining, as in a garden, species with flowers in different shades.

Planting

For bed planting, apply an average density of 12 plants per square metre in order to ensure correct development of the root and aerial apparatus of each specimen, thus obtaining a harmonious and proportionate final composition. Adopt a suitable planting pattern also for mixed compositions with other species, in consideration of the final development achieved by each individual plant.

Propagation

Propagation can be by seed and by division of the head.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively aqueduct water with an optimal sub-acidic pH, either manually or by means of an irrigation system, keeping the soil or substrate moist at all times but free from waterlogging that can lead to leaf yellowing and root rot.

Fertilising

During the spring-summer period, apply a specific fertiliser for ornamental species to the soil or substrate at the foot of the plant, to be distributed in liquid form, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency and doses applied.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Wear gloves when handling.

Tip

It is an interesting plant for mixed flower beds with perennials and spring blooms. It disappears in winter and vegetates again in spring. Avoid planting in soils too rich in clay.