Tradescantia Mixed Colours

This selection of Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Mixed Colours' brings together carefully selected Virginia ephemerals known for their flowering in various shades of blue, lilac, and mauve, depending on the plants. Ephemeral and delicate, they succeed each other throughout the summer in the midst of compact and decorative vegetation, blooming nestled in beautiful ribbon-like and pointed foliage, ranging in colour from bright green to dark green. Very hardy, these very perennial plants thrive in partial shade, in cool to moist soils, especially along water sources or in clear and cool undergrowth. They also make lovely flower-filled containers in the summer.

The Tradescantia in the 'Mixed Colours' mix are horticultural hybrids whose origins are in the Americas. Their ancestors are called Tradescantia ohiensis, T.subaspera, T virginiana. All these perennial and hardy plants belong to the Commelinaceae family. Each plant forms an upright and dense clump, reaching a maximum height of 45cm (18in) and spreading over 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in). Its narrow and slightly fleshy foliage resembles that of grasses or irises, emerging from the stump in spring and developing into a dense tuft. The above-ground part, filled with water, does not withstand frost, but the plant vigorously regrows from the stump starting in March-April. Flowering begins in June and lasts throughout the summer. It takes the form of flat flowers, with varied colours and contrasting yellow stamens, characterized by their simplicity, purity, and ephemeral nature. Many shades paint the petals, ranging from almost white to mauve-violet, including pink-mauve and magenta, depending on the plants. They bloom in pairs and are carried in terminal cymes at the top of stiff stems. Each flower only 'lives' for a few hours, but they are constantly renewed above the foliage.

You can plant the 'Mixed Colours' Tradescantia in a cool rockery, at the base of a semi-shaded wall, or as borders along a path or in a large bed. Their shiny foliage and softly multicolored flowers will brighten up an undergrowth in naturalized areas. These perennials will thrive in moist soil on the banks of streams or ponds. For example, you can associate them with hostas, lady's mantle, globeflowers (Trollius chinensis 'Golden Queen'), or colourful foliage heucheras. This selection also allows for beautiful flower-filled containers.