Concord Grape Spiderwort

Concord Grape Spiderwort (Tradescantia andersoniana 'Concord Grape')

Concord Grape Spiderwort is an easy perennial that brings rich purple color to borders without demanding perfect conditions. It fills in quickly with arching, grass-like foliage that helps beds look planted and complete. The three-petaled blooms open in succession, so you get a steady run of color instead of a one-and-done show. It is a strong choice for gardeners who want dependable performance and a relaxed, cottage-garden look.

Distinctive Features

This clump-forming spiderwort is known for deep purplish-blue flowers with bright yellow stamens held above smoky blue-green, strap-like leaves. Individual flowers last only a day, but each cluster carries many buds that keep new blooms coming from late spring into summer. The foliage has a clean, upright-to-arching habit early, then softens as the season progresses for a natural, informal look. A midseason cutback can refresh the plant and often encourages a tidy flush of new growth and occasional rebloom.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade, with stronger flowering in more sun and cleaner foliage with some afternoon shade in hot areas.
• Soil: Average to fertile, well-drained soil, with best results in soil that stays evenly moist.
• Water: Medium water, with extra moisture during dry spells for best bloom and foliage quality.
• USDA Zones: Zones 3 to 9.
• Mature Size: About 12 to 18 inches tall and about 12 to 24 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant a bold drift in a front border where the grape-purple blooms create a clear seasonal highlight.
• Mixed Borders: Use it to weave color through perennials and grasses for a relaxed, layered look.
• Cottage Gardens: Pair with daisies, coneflowers, salvias, and daylilies for an easy, classic combination.
• Pollinator Beds: Include it in sunny to lightly shaded beds where frequent blooms keep activity steady.
• Moist Sites: Place it where soil stays a bit more consistent, such as along downspouts or near irrigation zones.
• Naturalized Plantings: Repeat in groups to create a simple rhythm of foliage texture and seasonal color.

Low Maintenance Care

• Cutback: Shear stems back after the main bloom to refresh foliage and keep the clump tidy.
• Watering: Water during drought to reduce stress and help maintain bloom production.
• Mulch: Apply a light organic mulch to moderate soil moisture and reduce weeds around the clump.
• Division: Divide every few years in spring to maintain vigor and manage the size of the planting.
• Staking: Avoid heavy feeding, and use nearby plants for support if stems lean in richer soils.

Why Choose Concord Grape Spiderwort?

• Bold Color: Deep purple blooms add a saturated accent that stands out in both sunny and lightly shaded beds.
• Long Bloom Window: Successive flowers keep color coming for weeks instead of ending after a brief peak.
• Easy Growth: A forgiving perennial that performs well in typical garden soils with reasonable moisture.
• Cutback Friendly: Responds well to a midseason trim that resets the look and encourages fresh growth.
• Garden Resilience: It is often less appealing to deer than many border perennials and rebounds well after stress.

If you want a no-nonsense perennial that delivers rich color and quick fill, Concord Grape Spiderwort is a practical choice. Plant it in groups for the best visual impact, then cut it back when it looks tired to keep the border looking fresh. With consistent moisture and a bit of sun, it settles into a reliable, repeatable performance year after year.