Wonderful Wandering Jew

One of the fascinating aspects of exotic gardening are finding plants that are hardy versions of common and well known houseplants like the Wandering Jew plant (Tradescantias). These plants are very easy to propagate and we have planted several types outside through the years with varying results. Some come back strong whilst others come back weak or very late in the season, some do not, and even the odd one or two sited on sheltered areas remained evergreen on previous winters. 

A couple of Tradescantias on the edge of a border

However, none of them you can genuinely tag as reliably hardy after a hard winter. But there is one type that I can say reliably hardy, in our location at least, and that is the Spotted Wandering Jew, Tinantia pringlei. 

Scrambling away...

A clump in dense shade

We planted out Tinantia pringlei a few years ago and found that it reliably comes back in the spring, and even stronger that before. And it self seeds too, popping out on other places but not a nuisance to thin out and remove where they are not wanted. I like the way it's purple spotted leaves cascade and gently wade it's way into other foliage within the border, helping create that lush look. And in late summer you are rewarded with little purple flowers.

Another one we tried is the variegated version of the same plant. I was doubtful at first on the stability of its variegation and that it would revert when it comes back in the spring. Much to my pleasant surprise it has proven otherwise and the variegation has remained stable on next years growth.

Apart from it's preference for moisture retentive, organic rich areas, I find it unfussy to grow and does well in both sun or shade. However, grown in dense shade it tends to lose the purple spotting on its leaves and becomes plain green (but still attractive).

So if you like the look of Wandering Jew plants but prefer something more permanent and not have to bed out in the summer then this is worth considering.


Mark

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