Spiderwort Sweet Kate
Best vibrant foliage for shaded garden areas.
Tradescantia Sweet Kate, commonly known as Spiderwort, offers a vibrant display with its striking gold foliage that beautifully contrasts its violet-blue flowers, each accented by sulphur-yellow stamens. While individual flowers are short-lived, the plant provides a prolonged bloom period due to its prolific budding. This versatile perennial thrives in full sun to partial shade and reaches a flowering height of 10-15 inches. It is deer-resistant and loved by pollinators, making it a valuable addition to rockeries, water features, or any garden seeking a splash of color and naturalizing charm. Ships as a bare root in spring.
$7.92
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1787
/ 3268
#1787 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-71%
Below average
Common Name
Spiderwort
/ Spiderwort
Who it's for
- Gardeners desiring vibrant, season-long color and texture.
- Busy individuals seeking a resilient, easy-to-grow garden addition.
- Enthusiasts wanting a distinctive, eye-catching plant combination.
Who should skip it
- Gardeners with small plots or preferring strictly contained growth.
- Those who prefer a consistently neat and compact garden aesthetic.
- Homeowners in hot regions with intense, direct afternoon sun.
Performance breakdown
Visual Contrast
Gold foliage and violet-blue blooms create a high-impact garden focal point.
Pollinator Appeal
Reliably draws butterflies and essential pollinators to your outdoor space.
Deer Resistance
Robust defense against browsing wildlife keeps your garden beds intact.
Naturalization Potential
Spreads and multiplies effortlessly for a fuller landscape over time.
Planting Versatility
Compact size fits perfectly in rockeries, borders, or near water features.
Bloom Longevity
Prolific budding compensates for the short lifespan of individual flowers.
Key Specs
Common Name
Spiderwort
Deer Resistant
Yes
Density
5 plants per 10 sq. ft.
Flowering Height
10-15 inches
Flowering Time
Late Spring to Mid Summer
Fragrant
No
Naturalizing
Yes
Origin
Holland
Features
- Vibrant gold foliage contrasts with violet-blue flowers
- Prolonged bloom period due to abundant buds
- Deer resistant for worry-free planting
- Attracts butterflies and pollinators
- Naturalizes and multiplies each year
- Suitable for rockeries and water features
- Ships as bare root for easy planting
What customers say
Customers consistently express high satisfaction with the Spiderwort Sweet Kate, frequently commending its exceptional quality upon delivery. Many reviews highlight the plants' robust health and vigorous growth, establishing easily in various garden settings. Gardeners particularly appreciate its striking golden foliage, which provides a brilliant splash of color and visual interest, especially in shaded areas. The plant's reliable performance and enduring beauty are recurring themes, making it a cherished addition for enhancing landscape aesthetics with minimal effort. Its consistent appeal underscores a strong positive sentiment.
Know before you buy
Upon arrival, inspect the roots to ensure they are firm and healthy. Plant them as soon as possible in well-draining soil at a depth of 1 to 2 inches, ensuring the crown is just below the surface.
This variety thrives in both full sun and partial shade. While it tolerates shade well, providing some sun exposure will help maintain the most vibrant gold color in the foliage.
The plant produces a high volume of buds, ensuring a long bloom season. If the plant looks messy after a heavy flush of flowers, you can shear it back by about half to encourage a fresh, tidy flush of foliage and potential reblooming.
Yes, Spiderwort is generally avoided by deer, making it a reliable choice for gardens where wildlife pressure is a concern. However, no plant is completely deer-proof if food sources are extremely scarce.
Yes, Spiderwort is a naturalizing perennial, meaning it will gradually multiply and expand its footprint each year. It is an excellent choice if you want to fill in gaps in rockeries or garden beds over time.
For optimal density and visual impact, we recommend planting at a rate of 5 plants per 10 square feet. This spacing allows the plants enough room to establish while creating a lush, filled-in look.
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