You may know the name Tradescantia as some of our most popular houseplants. Of course, these types are not hardy and should only be kept indoors. However, there are many hardier types that make fine border and container plants for summer and autumn garden displays. These outdoor forms derive from species found growing naturally in America, where they grow in woods, scrubland and meadows. In Britain, Tradescantia are often seen growing in cottage gardens, where they make effective and undemanding border plants.

The distinctive feature of Tradescantia flowers is that they have three petals, enclosed in paired, boat-shaped bracts, and they are held in clusters that usually appear at the ends of the stems. Flowers are mainly in shades of purple and blue, but there are also crimson and white forms. The sword-shaped leaves of Tradescantia (sometimes called spiderwort) are mostly mid-green, but sometimes they will be golden or bluish.

Tradescantia, which are named after John Tradescant, the 17th century naturalist and gardener, have a distinctive look. They bloom at a convenient height, and have a long flowering season lasting until the first frosts of autumn.