Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) is a herbacious perennial that blooms from late spring to mid autumn, and tolerates all types of sun, but flourishes in mid shade. It grows to about two feet.

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Native to North America but considered invasive, spiderwort is a grassy looking plant that self-seeds and creates clumps. And its flowers are beneficial to bees. But beware: the leaves can cause mild irritation.

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There are about 70 species of tradescantia, which is named after John Tradescant the Elder (1570s - 1638) and John Tradescant the Younger (1608-1662), who introduced the plant to English gardens.