Tradescantia andersoniana 'Sweet Kate' ('Blue and Gold')

Sweet Kate Spiderwort, also known as Blue and Gold Spiderwort, is a compact, clump-forming, hybrid Spiderwort. This Blue and Gold Spiderwort's foliage emerges fiery-red in early spring, and turns an incredible bright yellow chartreuse. The bladed-foliage develops the best colour in full sun, but it will be happier in partial shade, as full sun exposure can cause sunburn on hot days. Very versatile, Tradescantia andersoniana 'Sweet Kate' also tolerates full shade. Tolerant of wet, boggy soils. It grows to 18 inches tall, with a similar spread.

The three-petalled, violet-blue flowers are a wonderful contrast to the arching, grooved foliage. Clusters of flowers are borne on stiff stems, and open individually (and only for one day) from June through August. To extend the bloom season, deadhead each flower cluster after all buds in the cluster have opened. Use in waterside, woodland and naturalized gardens, semi-shade gardens, borders and beds.

When the stems of spiderworts are cut, a viscous stem secretion is released which becomes thread-like and silky upon hardening (like a spider’s web), hence the common name.

When foliage is spent and flowering has slowed considerably, cut Sweet Kate Spiderwort back almost to the ground to promote new foliage growth and an additional late summer to fall bloom. Divide clumps when they become overcrowded.