Tradescantia JS® BRAINSTORM spiderwort
size/type
mid-sized perennial,mid-sized perennial
usual height
0,4-0,5m
usual width
0,3-0,4m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
June-October
location
full to partial sun
soil type
any (acidic to alkaline)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Tradescantia
Spiderwort is a hardy and long-flowering perennial that comes from the Americas: from Canada to Argentina. There are 85 species, some of which have also become naturalized on other continents, where they were probably dragged into after the discovery of America but are considered non-native there. Fortunately for us, spiderwort is perfect for Central European climate which does it really good and it thrives here.Anderson's spiderwort is a hybrid discovered by Walter E. Anderson and R.E. Woodson and Anderson described it in his book in 1952. Two years later Ludwig and Rohweder named it tradescantia x andersoniana in his honour, however, the name was not accepted due to lack of detailed description and other information and the exact origin. Therefore, Anderson's spiderwort is considered only as a group that includes many varieties showing identical or similar features. They all have genes from T. virginiana, T. subaspera and T. ohiensis. Just like this one - JS® Brainstorm which was developed by Jan Spruyt from Belgium, using such parents to achieve extra bright colors and an extremely long flowering time of up to 6 months.
Description of the plant:
Brainstorm was aptly chosen for this spiderort’s variety name, though, I suspect someone apparently wanted to be witty, but irony aside – it worked. After its introduction at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in England in 2023, its beauty must have burned a hole in the brains of the jury so they included it in the shortlist for The Plant of the Year award, which is a huge success in the fierce competition there even without winning it. Brainstorm spiderwort is characterized by rich purple-blue flowers with 3 petals, which bloom atop 40-50 cm high, strong stems in an interesting, crowded inflorescence (umbel), where individual flowers seem like in a struggle trying to win the battle of who gets to burst out that day. Then purple fireworks take place. Blooming commonly begins in June, or exceptionally in late May if the spring is hot, and the plants continue making flower buds until autumn. Interestingly, they protect themselves from the hot summer sun by closing their flowers, i.e., they open only for the morning and re-open late in the afternoon when the air has cooled down. Just like the Italians and the Spanish when they have their siesta. Deciduous leaves are strap-like, medium green, slightly arching and resemble daylily leaves.
If the plants are exhausted after the first flush of flowers, you can cut them back to the ground in mid-summer, letting them regrow and make a new display in late summer. Spiderwort is a keen drinker. So, in the evening, pour some water into a watering can to take in one hand, a glass of prosecco in the other, and go have a drink together. The ideal location is diffused sunlight or partial shade and evenly moist soil that will neither dry out nor remain waterlogged. The leaves are usually the tell that they lack moisture. The pH of the soil is not important, and summer feeding with selective fertilizers high in phosphorus will ensure more abundant flowering. It is very hardy and withstands approx. -34 °C (USDA zone 4) and is suitable for outdoor containers, too.
Last update 12-07-2024
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