Tradescantia ohiensis aka Ohio Spiderwort

Tradescantia ohiensis, or Ohio spiderwort, belongs to the spiderwort family. This perennial grows wild from Ontario through central and eastern states. It lives in meadows, prairies, roadsides, and woodland edges. Plants form clumps with upright stems that may arch. Garden plants reach 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) tall. Their spread reaches 1.5–2.5 feet (0.46–0.76 m). The roots are thick and fleshy, with many fibres.

The smooth, round stems have few branches and sometimes look purple. A waxy coating may give them a pale cast. The dark blue-green leaves look like broad blades of grass. Each leaf folds along its length to form a groove. Its base clasps the stem without a leaf stalk. Sources give leaf lengths up to 1.5 feet (0.46 m). Their reported widths differ, but both describe long, narrow leaves. Older foliage may spread out and look untidy by midsummer.

Flower clusters sit at the ends of the stems. Each bloom has three petals and six bright yellow anthers. Fine violet hairs grow near the flower's base. Most flowers are blue or purple; some are pink or white. Blooms measure about 0.75–1.5 inches across. Only a few buds open at once, usually in the morning. Each flower lasts one day, but new buds extend the display. Main flowering runs from late May into early July. Chicago Botanic Garden reports flowers through August. Small green capsules ripen two to three weeks after flowering. Each splits into three sections, releasing three to six brown seeds.

Grow it in full sun or partial shade. More shade can reduce the number of flowers. It prefers moist, acidic soil that drains well. It also tolerates dry ground, drought, and shallow, rocky sites. Suitable soils include sand, loam, gravel, and clay. Sources list hardiness in USDA zones 4–9. Divide crowded clumps to keep them manageable. Cutting back in midsummer can prompt fresh growth and fall flowers.

Use it in borders, meadows, woodland gardens, or as groundcover. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers. Seedlings and offshoots can make it weedy in good conditions. In hay fields, its slow-drying stems can spoil baled hay. Serious pest and disease problems are uncommon. Snails damage young shoots; deer and rabbits sometimes eat leaves. Leaves and stems are edible raw or cooked. NC State reports no toxicity to people or pets.