Tradescantia, Blue & Gold
Buy Any 3 Perennial Plants or Bulbs & Save 20%
Buy Any 3 Perennial Plants or Bulbs & Save 20%. Cannot be applied to previous orders. Limited time only. While supplies last.
Short Description
This vigorous, easy to grow perennial sports vibrant golden foliage with gentian-blue flowers.
Full Description
Commonly known as a spiderwort, Tradescantia Blue & Gold is a good plant for novice gardeners because it's so easy to grow and the flowers and foliage are so attractive. It grows in many soil types, even wet, boggy sites, but it thrives in moist, well drained soil. Cut back after the first blooms in July and August, and it reblooms come fall!
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Product properties
Zone This refers to the USDA hardiness zone assigned to each part of the country, based on the minimum winter temperature that a region typically experiences. Hardiness zone ranges are provided for all perennial plants and you should always choose plants that fall within your range.
4-9
Sun The amount of sunlight this product needs daily in order to perform well in the garden. Full sun means 6 hours of direct sun per day; partial sun means 2-4 hours of direct sun per day; shade means little or no direct sun.
Full Sun, Part Sun
Height The typical height of this product at maturity.
24 inches
Spread The width of the plant at maturity.
15-18 inches
Bloom Season The time of the year when this product normally blooms.
Spring, Summer
Ornamental Use Ways in which the product may be used in the garden for ornamental effect.
Beds, Borders, Container
Plant Shipping Information
Plants begin shipping week of:
Mar 25, 2019
Click here for Spring shipping scheduleRestrictions:
Item 25572 cannot ship to: AA, AE, AK, AP, AS, CN, FM, GU, HI, MH, MP, PR, PW, VI
See all Burpee plant shipping restrictions for your state
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Introduction to Perennials
Perennials return year after year blooming on their own. Watch this introduction and discover how easy and rewarding growing perennials can be.
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Perennials Tour #1
Take a garden tour and see favorite perennial plants in a garden setting. In this video- Shasta
Daisy, Ornamental Grass, Butterfly Bush, Echinacea and Hydrangea.
Watch video
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Tradescantia
Start Indoors Starting seeds indoors is called Indoor Sow or Indirect Sow and these dates are when to sow seeds indoors in the spring or summer
Transplant When to transplant bulbs or roots in the garden for spring
Start Outdoors Starting seeds outdoors is called Outdoor Sow or Direct Sow and these dates are when to sow seeds outdoors in the spring or summer
Start Indoors Fall Starting seeds indoors in the fall called Indoor Sow or Indirect Sow and these dates are when to sow seeds outdoors in the fall
Transplant Fall Transplant Fall-When to transplant bulbs or roots in the garden for fall
Start Outdoors Fall Starting seeds outdoors in the fall is called Outdoor Sow or Direct Sow and these dates are when to sow seeds outdoors in the fallFirst Date: Mar-28 - Last Date: May-16
First Date: Sep-17 - Last Date: Oct-29
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Tradescantia: Potted Perennial Plant
How to Plant
Planting in the Garden:
- Choose a location in full sun or part shade, with moist, well-drained soil. Plants tolerate wet locations.
- Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6-12 inches removing any debris, and lightly raking as level as possible.
- The addition of organic matter (leaf mold, compost, well-rotted manure) benefits all gardens and is essential in recently constructed neighborhoods.
- Plant on a cloudy day or in late afternoon to reduce transplant shock.
- Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.
- Unpot the plant and gently loosen the root ball with your hands to encourage good root growth.
- Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Press soil down firmly with your hand.
- Use the plant tag as a location marker.
- Thoroughly water and apply a light mulch layer on top of the soil (1-2 inches) to conserve water and reduce weeds.
How to Grow
- Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their germination.
- Mulches also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For perennials, an organic mulch of aged bark or shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.
- Careful watering is essential in getting perennials off to a good start. Water thoroughly at least once a week to help new roots grow down deeply. Soil should be damp at about 1 inch below the soil surface. You can check this by sticking your finger in the soil. Water early in the morning to give all leaves enough time to dry. One inch of rain or watering per week is recommended for most perennial plants. You can check to see if you need to add water by using a rain gauge.
- Until plants become established, some protection from extreme winds and direct, hot sunlight may be necessary. Good air movement is also important.
- After new growth appears, a light fertilizer may be applied. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. Use low rates of a slow release fertilizer, as higher rates may encourage root rots.
- “Deadhead”, remove spent flower heads to encourage continuous flowering and prevent seed development.
- Remove and discard foliage after a hard frost in fall.
- In colder regions, apply another layer of mulch (1-2 inches) after the ground freezes in fall. Evergreen boughs (from Christmas trees) provide additional protection. Remove this mulch in the spring.
Growing Tips
- Many gardeners do not cut back perennial flower seed heads in the fall, but wait until early spring before the new foliage appears. This provides food for wildlife over the winter.
- After the plants flower, cut them down to about 6 inches for more compact foliage and to encourage new blooms.
- Divide plants every 3 to 4 years in spring to prevent overcrowding and to keep them spreading too quickly.
Zone
4-9
Sun
Full Sun, Part Sun
Height
24 inches
Spread
15-18 inches
Bloom Season
Spring, Summer
Ornamental Use
Beds, Borders, Container
Planting Time
Fall, Spring
Genus
Tradescantia
Life Cycle
Perennial
Tradescantia, Blue & Gold is rated
out of
5 by
11.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
SueNJ from
As expected
I have had previous experience with this plant before. They take a couple of years to grow and spread to full size. You will appreciate them more the second year. It's a very hardy plant. Have patience.
Date published: 2018-06-24
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Sten from
Fatal Attraction
So beautiful, and such a wicked thing. It doesn't spread beyond a good-sized clump- but then it shows up everywhere by seed. It's not so difficult to remove as say a Japanese Iris, but you do have to work at it. If you want it, be ever so careful to deadhead it even before it quits blooming, every year.
Date published: 2015-08-04
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Kite from
PERFECT
I purchased 5 plants from Burpee, and only 4 lived. It wasn't their fault, it was my teenage daughter who killed the plant with a vehicle. I have attached one pic of one of my plants. They are all 24" tall and have doubled in width since last season.
I wish I could purchase another 30 plants for the rest of my yard!
Date published: 2015-05-15
Rated 5 out of
5
by
DebP from
Beautiful Flower!
This flower is nearly purple to me - a wonderful contrast to the bright green foliage. I planted it this spring and it has grown well and is now blooming well in late summer. It is in average soil and receives sun only in the mid and late afternoon. Very pleased!
Date published: 2014-09-17
Rated 2 out of
5
by
MistyLH from
How did I manage to kill it?
I don't know, but it did not thrive in a container on my part-sun porch. :(
Date published: 2014-05-23
Rated 1 out of
5
by
bbstar from
BEWARE THE SPIDER WORT
Beware! This is one of the most invasive plants we have come in contact with. Research carefully before purchasing. It is an annoying weed, hard to get rid of. In fact, most research I have seen suggests that burning it is about the only way to eradicate it.
Date published: 2014-04-13
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Tati from
One of few truly beautiful blue flowers.
I've had this plant for over 15 years and have not had one speck of trouble with it. It is everything in everyway that a great perennial should be. We have moved with it twice and it just settles right into its' new home with ease and acts as though it
has always belonged there. I just can't say enough great things about this lovely plant. You should try one out for yourself sometime. I have noticed that they tolerate shade to partly sun and they adore to have their feet mildly wet. Please try one for yourself in a quiet out of the way spot and you will not regret it!
Thanks, Tati
Date published: 2014-02-23
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Wildflower from
Vigorous is right!
We stomp, mow over, and weed whack this poor plant every year and it grows back just as strong and beautiful as before. Another reviewer is right, it's a morning bloomer & closes midday. We don't really get to see the flowers bloom, but there's only 2 blooms on it anyway, more of an ornamental grass than a flowering plant for us.
Date published: 2012-07-31