The first name of this beautiful wildflower tells its story. It was discovered by John Tradescant, the British plant explorer who came to America early and and became very famous for the exotic plants of the New World that he took back home.

Spiderworts are moisture-lovers, with foliage a lot like that of an iris or Daylily, and the purple flowers are famous for having just three petals each. Today, they've been hybridized into all shades of purple, blue, pink and white, and are prized garden perennials. But many people think the original is still the most beautiful. A great plant for color in moist shade.