Tradescantia pallida

Tradescantia pallida Purpurea

The genus Tradescantia contains one of my most hated weeds - wandering trad (Tradescantia fluminensis) - but it also includes some plants which I am happy to welcome into my garden. Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea' (syn. Setcreasea purpurea, Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart') has succulent-looking, lance-shaped purple leaves and forms a robust groundcover about 15cm tall. It has tiny pink flowers in summer but is mainly grown as a foliage plant.

Tradescantia pallida Purpurea in a Pymble garden

Tradescantia pallida Purpurea in a Pymble garden

It will grow in part shade or sun and is an attractive companion to hybrid hellebores, goldfussia (Strobilanthes anisophylla) and Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyeriana). It is also effective grown nearby Helichrysum petiolare. Because of its succulent look, it also is at home growing with plants such as Agave. It shares with its weedy relative an ease of growth and propagation, but has not (yet) become invasive in my garden. It apparently colours best when the soil is on the dry side, and when grown in full sun, but also does well in shaded areas. I enjoy pairing it in a shaded spot with the purple-flowered Plectranthus ambiguous, which blooms in autumn. The foliage is a useful addition to a cut-flower arrangement. It will grow roots if placed in a vase of water, which is an easy way to propagate it!