Description
Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis), also called Bluejacket, is a tough, easygoing native with grass-like blue-green foliage and bright blue to purple flowers. The name “Spiderwort” comes from the thread-like sap that forms when a stem is broken, resembling a spider’s web.
Each flower only lasts a day, opening in the morning and closing by midday, but the plant keeps producing new blooms from May through July so it stays colorful for weeks.
It grows in full sun to partial shade and handles a wide range of soils, including clay and sand. It prefers dry to average moisture and is commonly found in prairies, meadows, and even roadside ditches. It forms clumps that can spread over time and can be divided in spring or fall.
Ohio Spiderwort is especially valuable for pollinators, particularly native bees and bumblebees. Because of its ability to spread, it’s best suited for naturalized areas or looser plantings rather than small, tightly managed beds.
After flowering, the foliage can start to yellow or look a bit tired. Cutting it back helps tidy things up and often encourages fresh regrowth.
It pairs well with other dry to mesic natives like Ohio Horsemint (Blephilia ciliata), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) for a balanced, pollinator-friendly planting.
