How to pair Virginia Tradescantia?

In a mixed border of cool soil

Tradescantia happily accompanies many perennials and summer flowers, even in full sun, provided the soil is kept moist. However, if the full sun is too scorching, they will quickly decline in the afternoon. This type of border can also be planted in partial shade, ensuring the delicate flowers of Tradescantia remain vigorous for longer.

Here is a combination that plays with shades of pink, patterns, and textures. The Tradescantia andersoniana ‘Bilberry Ice’ with its mauve-tinged flowers is surrounded by a Phlox maculata ‘Natasha’ with a lovely pink and white pattern like a sweet, a Nepeta subsessilis with soft mauve spikes, a Monarda ‘Beauty of Cobham’ with its tousled head and aromatic leaves, and an Echinacea ‘Fatal Attraction’ with stems bearing magenta flowers with large orange-red centres.

Tradescantia andersoniana ‘Bilberry Ice’, Phlox maculata ‘Natasha’, Nepeta subsessilis, Monarda ‘Beauty of Cobham’, Echinacea ‘Fatal Attraction’

On a a bank, a pond edge, or in damp soil

With its lush foliage and heat-sensitive flower, Tradescantia thrives in humid conditions. It will also tolerate more sun during the scorching hours in this situation.

The combination presented here is suitable for both sunny and partially shaded areas. Tradescantia andersoniana ‘Osprey’, with its lovely blue-green median and sparkling stamens, pairs well with Anemone rivularis and Iris ensata ‘Activity’. A Ligularia dentata ‘Dark Beauty’ with its large, rounded coppery leaves and orange-yellow flowering adds a strong presence, while a Carex elata ‘Aurea’ brightens the whole arrangement.

Ligularia dentata ‘Dark Beauty’, Iris ensata ‘Activity’, Tradescantia ‘Osprey’, Anemone rivularis and Carex elata ‘Aurea’

In miniature

To enjoy the very attractive variegated foliage of Tradescantia ‘Blushing Bride’, it’s best to give it a place among companions of similar size, for a miniature bed. An isolated border or a container planting are equally suitable for admiring its lovely pink then white spots and watching them evolve.

For added pleasure, pair Tradescantia andersoniana ‘Blushing Bride’ with the charming Tiarelle ‘Sugar and Spice’, and add bulbs of Muscaris ‘Pink Sunrise’ in candy pink. A pinkish-purple Heuchère ‘Georgia Plum’ and a black Ophiopogon ‘Hosoba Kokuryu’ add their distinguished foliage.

Tradescantia Blushing Bride, Heuchère ‘Georgia Plum’, Tiarelle ‘Sugar and Spice’, Ophiopogon ‘Hosoba Kokuryu’, Muscari ‘Pink Sunrise’

Surrounded by stunning foliage

The simplicity of the flower of Tradescantia and its ribbon-like foliage allow it to hold its own among remarkable foliage.

Here, the Japanese spirit prevails, featuring a Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Ornatum’ in purple, a Hosta ‘The King’ with yellow marginate leaves, a Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ variegated in green and gold, a Hosta ‘Marilyn Monroe’ with undulate foliage, and the simple and purple Tradescantia andersoniana ‘Concord Grape’.

Acer palmatum ‘Ornatum’, Tradescantia ‘Concord Grape’, Hosta ‘The King’, Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, Hosta ‘Marilyn Monroe’

In the company of unique plants

The medium preferred by Tradescantia is also home to many charming plants. Indeed, in partial shade or woodland, lovely species thrive that can be fun to combine with our Ephemeral. Let’s not forget that it is unique in its angular appearance and its flowers seemingly perched on top.

Why not create a border with a Kirengeshoma palmata with large dentate leaves and waxy yellow flowers, an Epimedium davidii with small suspended columbine-like flowers, a Persicaria microcephala ‘Red Dragon’, the very curious primrose Primula vialii, resembling a fluorescent sorbet, a Saxifraga fortunei ‘Rubrifolia’, as lovely for its foliage as for its flowering. An Tradescantia andersoniana ‘Perrine’s Pink’, echoing the primrose, complements the ensemble with its pretty soft pink flower.

Epimedium davidii, Persicaria ‘Red Dragon’, Tradescantia ‘Perrine’s Pink’, Kirengeshoma palmata, Saxifraga fortunei ‘Rubrifolia’, Primula vialii

In shades of blue

Take advantage of the Tradescantia‘s fondness for partial shade to create a blue-themed combination. Blue flowers are highlighted in the shade, where this beautiful colour stands out better and adds depth.

Plant Tradescantia andersoniana ‘JC Weguelin’ with its lovely light blue flower alongside the bright lavender blue of Phlox divaricata ‘Chattahoochee’, which is also fragrant. Add bulbs of Iris ensata ‘Variegata’, a Brunnera macrophylla ‘Looking Glass’, a fern Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’, and the lovely fragrant bulb of Muscari latifolium.

Tradescantia ‘JC Weguelin’, Phlox divaricata ‘Chattahochee’, Muscari latifolium, Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’, Brunnera ‘Looking Glass’, Iris ensata ‘Variegata’.

All in white

White flowerings also brighten up the shade, making it the perfect opportunity for this half-shade combination of foliage and light flowering!

Plant Tradescantia ‘Innocence’ alongside Filipendula ulmaria ‘Plena’, Geranium phaeum ‘Album’, the variegated Lily of the Valley Convallaria majalis ‘Albostriata’, and Brunnera macrophylla ‘Betty Bowring’.

Tradescantia ‘Innocence’, Filipendula ulmaria ‘Plena’, Geranium phaeum ‘Album’, Convallaria majalis ‘Albostriata’, Brunnera ‘Betty Bowring’.

Purple combination

Let’s finish with a beautiful purple combination to accompany Tradescantia andersoniana ‘Concord Grape’ with its pinkish-purple flower. The perennials suggested here thrive in both sun and partial shade, always in cool soil, except for Actaea, which needs protection from scorching conditions.

Let’s mix Tradescantia andersoniana ‘Concord Grape’ with Actaea (Cimicifuga) simplex ‘Carbonella’, featuring chocolate-purple foliage and fragrant pink and white spikes, along with the glaucous blue grass Molinia caerulea with its almost black purple spikelets. Add the purple-brown of Heuchera ‘Bella Notte’, the light violet of Verbena bonariensis ‘Cloud’, and the deep violet of Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’. Sow seeds of Cerinthe major Purpurescens ‘Kiwi Blue’, whose blue-violet bracts (on glaucous green foliage) are unique!

Actaea (Cimicifuga) simplex ‘Carbonella’, Tradescantia ‘Concord Grape’, Heuchera ‘Bella Notte’, Verbena bonariensis ‘Cloud’, Cerinthe major Purpurescens ‘Kiwi Blue’, Molinia caerulea, Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’

For further reading

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