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Tradescantia sillamontana

Also Known As

  • Tradescantia sillamontana 'White Velvet'
  • Cobweb Spiderwort
  • White Gossamer
  • White Velvet
  • White Velvet Gossamer Plant
  • White Velvet Tradescantia

Plant type

perennial, groundcover

size

  • H: 6"-12"
  • W: 12"-18"

planting zones

  • 9a-12

More Options

Tradescantia sillamontana plant details

Irresistible to touch, The Cobweb Spiderwort is covered in velvety soft webbing, a good tactile element for the sensory garden. The soft pinkish-purple flowers are pretty against the silver leaves. Gently spreads to form a nice low clump that looks especially smashing perched at the edge of walls and pots. There are varying reports of cold hardiness, zone 9 is probably a safe bet, but with good drainage and a protected spot, it's been reported to overwinter in zone 7 (we'd guess that's if cold snaps are not prolonged). Even when grown as an annual in colder, wetter climates, it's a welcome addition to the summer garden. As an easy-going plant that prefers a bit of neglect with little water, good drainage, and a somewhat sunny spot, they're good companions for succulents like sedums and sempervivums.

Tradescantia sillamontana is a broadleaf evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial groundcover with blue foliage. In summer lavender and magenta flowers emerge. Features fuzzy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Tradescantia sillamontana

Plant type: perennial groundcover
Plant family: commelinaceae
Foliage: evergreen or semi-evergreen blue
Mature size: 12 IN - 18 IN - wide, 6 IN - 12 IN - tall
Flowers: lavender and magenta blooms in summer
Uses: easy-to-grow, spreading

GROWING CONDITIONS for Tradescantia sillamontana

USDA Zones: 9a - 12
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

(COBWEB SPIDERWORT) Unusual little plant for the rock garden, a pot or the top of a wall. Silver green leaves frosted with white fuzzy cobwebbing whorled around upright stems 10-12” high in clumps 18” wide…stems are topped with deep pink tri-petaled flowers summer and fall. Sun to light shade, well drained soils, water sparingly, don’t overwater. This is a plant that enjoys neglect and mixes well with succulents. Z7b 3” pot
May grow ok in protected areas. Light Shade to Full Shade. Pink Colored Blooms. Indoor/ Outdoor (Patio). shade.

By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

Tired of Helichrysum? Wooly gray leaves make this a novel foliage accent plant with the added bonus of lavender spiderwort flowers that are nestle along the leaf axils. Upright height to 6" and spreads.
Fuzzy leaved spiderwort, appearing as if its pale green leaves were covered with...yes... spiderwebs. Low growing and spreading, to 10-12” x 18”, with striking magenta flowers in summer through autumn. Showy in containers or the garden. Found in the mountains of northern Mexico, they prefer sun and are easy growers, needing little water and generally thriving on neglect. Frost hardy in UDA zone 7 in a well-drained environment.
White Velvet Tradescantia. This gets great cobwebby silver-white foliage with light purple flowers nestled in the leaf axils. Likes it on the drier side thank goodness. Far hardier than we thought, this overwintered in the ground outside at plant maestro Brian McLaughlin's garden at 10 degrees.
This cool looking cobweb spiderwort has deep pink flowers set in velvety white, webbed leaves. From Northern Mexico.

Gardening facts about Tradescantia sillamontana plant

How to Grow Tradescantia sillamontana

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • regular - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • lavender
    • magenta
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
    • semi-evergreen
  • Texture

    • fuzzy
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