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    • Photo of Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate' foliage by Karl Gercens III

    Photo by Karl Gercens III

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate'

    Also Known As

    • Sweet Kate Tradescantia

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 8"-12"
    • W: 8"-12"

    planting zones

    • 5a-9b

    More Options

    Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate' plant details

    Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate' is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with chartreuse and gold foliage. In spring and summer purple flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate'

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: commelinaceae
    Foliage: deciduous chartreuse and gold
    Mature size: 8 IN - 12 IN - wide, 8 IN - 12 IN - tall
    Flowers: purple blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: border plant, long-blooming, rock garden

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate'

    USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Bright chartreuse new growth and long season of bright blue flowers set this vivacious easy-going (& easy growing) mounder (to 10"t x 12"w) apart. S-PSh/M

    By: Forestfarm

    Hardy, clump-former displays brilliant gold, narrow, keeled leaves as a backdrop for 3-petaled violet-blue flowers with yellow stamens. Flowers last only one day but are immediately replaced. Spiderworts are easily grown in moist to boggy soils and can be cut back when flowering slows to force a repeat bloom. Give some sun for best foliage color but protect from scorching sun.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    The yellow-green strap-like succulent foliage makes a nice contrast for the deep blue flowers of this popular garden perennial. An easy and drought tolerant clump forming perennial whose bright foliage that lends itself to the front of the border and mixed container gardens. Deadhead to promote flowering and prevent seeding.

    By: Almost Eden

    This spiderwort has shocking gold foliage accented with rich purple flowers. It's interesting form and foliage colour makes it useful for contrasting with other perennials in part shade to part sun situations.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    Brilliant golden foliage and dark blue-purple flowers this one is best in part shade. ZONE 4

    By: Arrowhead Alpines

    Gardening facts about Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate' plant

    How to Grow Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • gold
      • chartreuse

    • Flower Color

      • purple

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    • Texture

      • grassy

    See other plant types of Tradescantia for your garden

    Tradescantia sillamontana

    aka Tradescantia sillamontana 'White Velvet', Cobweb Spiderwort, White Gossamer, White Velvet, White Velvet Gossamer Plant, White Velvet Tradescantia

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover

    Zones

    9a-12

    Size

    Height: 6"-12"

    Width: 12"-18"

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Tradescantia sillamontana flower by plant lust
    View Plant

    Tradescantia fluminensis 'Maiden's Blush'

    aka Tradescantia 'Blushing Bride', Tradescantia 'First Blush', Tradescantia 'Maiden's Blush', Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Blushing Bride', Blushing Bride Lady's Tears, Blushing Bride Virginia Spiderwort, Maiden's Blush Spiderwort

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover

    Zones

    8a-12

    Size

    Height: 4"-18"

    Width: 24"-36"

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Tradescantia fluminensis 'Maiden's Blush' foliage by Little Prince of Oregon
    View Plant

    Tradescantia 'Godzilla'

    aka Godzilla Spider Lily, Godzilla Spiderwort

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover

    Zones

    7b-10b

    Size

    Height: 6"

    Width: 24"-36"

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Tradescantia 'Godzilla' flower by plant lust
    View Plant

    More Options

    Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart'

    aka Setcreasea pallida, Setcreasea pallida 'Purple Heart', Setcreasea purpurea, Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea', Purple Heart Spiderwort

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Vine

    Zones

    8a-10b

    Size

    Height: 8"-12"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    • dry in winter
    Photo of Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart' foliage by Rare Plant Research
    View Plant

    More Options

    Tradescantia 'Regal Charm'

    aka Regal Charm Tradescantia

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 11"

    Width: 15"

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Tradescantia 'Regal Charm' flower, foliage by Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
    View Plant

    More Options

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