Tradescantia sillamontana

Tradescantia sillamontana

The Mexican Tradescantia groundcovers are sophisticated cousins of the weed which plagues most Sydney gardens, Tradescantia fluminensis - better known as wandering trad - but they are generally not invasive like that horrible one. This species (ht 30 cm) has delightful silky-hair silvery foliage and doesn't grow beyond its appointed spot. It is a prostrate grower in my garden. It has little pink flowers in late spring and summer, but the wonderfully tactile leaves are the main attraction. It may die back a little in winter, but mine has survived for several years. It can grow in sun or part shade and makes a useful carpet amongst cane or shrubby Begonia, for example. It needs little water. It grows easily from a cutting.