Spiderwort - Tradescantia ohiensis

Tradescantia ohiensis, also known as spiderwort, is a perennial wildflower native to Michigan.
Michigan Flora states that its wild occurrences in the Upper Peninsula are escapees from cultivation. Spiderwort reaches 3 feet tall and has a long bloom time, typically from June into August. The rich blue to blue-purple blossoms are beloved by bumblebees.    

It prefers full sun but is fine with partial shade, although bloom density is decreased. Ideal soils are moist, acidic, and sandy, but it has a wide tolerance for soil types/moistures/pH and does fine in dry soil, clay, loam, gravel, or sand.  Can reseed vigorously, especially in rich soils.  Seedlings are easy to dig and can be put in pots for gifting or container gardening.
 
This plant pairs beautifully with orange Butterfly Milkweed and creamy Boneset in a flower garden, although it will need to be weeded a bit to give the Milkweed adequate room. We love it for its sharp-looking foliage and graceful angles studded with bright blooms, always bathed in the sleepy summer drone of the bumblebees it feeds.