Tradescantia Blue and Gold

Tradescantia Blue and Gold is an original, bright, and contrasting perennial from Virginia, with completely golden foliage on which large and beautiful, dark violet flowers bloom throughout summer, even into autumn, if the soil remains well moist. This hardy and very easy to grow, robust perennial is perfect for adding colour and lushness to partially shaded areas of the garden, or along the edge of a pond. It also grows very well in pots.

'Blue and Gold' (also known as Sweet Kate) is a horticultural hybrid of Tradescantia, whose origins are in both Americas (Tradescantia ohiensis, T.subaspera, T virginiana). All these plants belong to the Commelinaceae family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant that emerges from its crown in spring and disappears in winter. This plant forms a dense clump of about 40-45 cm (16-18in) high and spreads about 50 cm (20in), or even more. Its glossy foliage resembles irises or grasses, consisting of single, long, and narrow, arched leaves tapering to a point and sheathed on a tubular stem. They are golden yellow, slightly greener in summer. Flowering begins in June and lasts throughout the summer in moist soil. It takes the form of flat, triangular flowers composed of 3 broad violet petals, with contrasting yellow stamens, carried on long purplish peduncles. They are original in their simplicity, but short-lived. They bloom in pairs in small clusters or terminal cymes at the top of upright flower stalks. Each flower only 'lives' for a few hours, but they continuously renew above the foliage.

Plant Tradescantia 'Blue and Gold' in rich, moist to wet soil. This plant prefers this situation and will fully show its colours in a partially shaded position. In full sun, regular and abundant watering will be essential. In moist rockeries, at the base of a shaded wall, in woodland, or even in borders, its growth will brighten small shady areas. This perennial will thrive on the banks of streams or ponds, with Carex, tiarellas, Persicaria, Primula bulleyana, or Ophiopogon japonicus. It also grows well in pots, in partial shade, with regular watering.