Blue is such a calming cool color in the garden. Last year spiderwort flowered late into the fall in our garden. It normally flowers in the late spring into the summer but if you cut it back in the summer it will re-bloom in the fall. I have seed several different explanations for the common name spiderwort. One theory is that it is due to the leaf arrangement that looks like a squatting spider. Another theory is that it is the filaments that are at the base of the anthers look like webs. Another theory is that when youbreak open a stem and put your finger to the sap that when you pull your finger away the stretching saplooks like a spider web filament. Whatever the case, it is a very attractive plant and charming flower.

Spiderwort has three blue, rounded petals with bright yellow anthers. The flowers are each only open for a day but it continues blooming for a long time. The leaves are dark green, long and linear. The leaves are wider at their base and taper to a point. The base of the leaves wraps around the stem of the plant.

There is a white petaled variety available too. They have the same plant habit with pure white three pedaled flowers.

You will find spiderwort growing in moist to slightly dry soils. It prefers part shade to full sun. Spiderwort is pollinated by bumblebees, other bees, as well as some flies. Deer and other mammals may browse the plant but it will bounce back.

Good companions are Yellow Wood Poppy, Labrador Violet, Wild Columbine, Goats Beard, Summer Phlox, Swamp Milkweed, Beebalm and Blue Stem Goldenrod.