First Spring Wildflower

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Riffing on first Texas wildflower blooms profiled at Portraits of Wildflowers, I noticed that my garden’s first wildflower is abloom. This wildflower is a common weed according to some, but I love the pretty, purple, pollinator magnet and so do the bees and butterflies. Insects were tucked in this morning, owing to the chill and clouds, but they’ll find this rich source of nectar and pollen when the sun returns and the temperatures warm.

This Spiderwort, Tradescantia, sp., has popped up from last years’ roots at the base of a winter-tawny Big Muhly, Muhlenbergia lindheimeri. That splash of green has been a colorful companion to the muted grass since early December. Now, the green will be topped by rich purple to augment its beauty.

The spiderworts couldn’t have chosen a tougher place to plant themselves. Facing west, these two clusters sit at the curb, not even in the garden-proper. I never water this area, it only receives what bounty the sky delivers. There will be more spiderwort blooms in the coming months–from these two and many others throughout my garden–then the foliage will disappear, the roots in hiding from the long, hot summer. The muhly will provide some coverage, as new growth drapes over the curb and spiderworts’ spot, but this area is hot and dry most of the year.

It has begun, this renewal of life. Birds and squirrels chase their potential partners and rivals; flirtation as the rule of the first kind of chase, establishing territory the point of the second. The main winter clean-up work in my garden is finished, or nearly so, and change in the garden will be a daily, if not hourly, occurrence. Game-on, Spring!

14 thoughts on “First Spring Wildflower”

    • I suspect the same folks who consider spiderworts as weeds also think that a large swath of grass with no blooming things or trees is the height of outdoor beauty. 🙂

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      • How true—sadly. I thought to look out our side window this morning and was pleased to see the fresh green leaves of several spiderworts. We’re behind you, but apparently won’t be for long.

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  4. These early first bloomers seem to shine especially brightly, emerging as they do in the midst of last season’s grasses or forbs. This is one of my favorites. Knowing that it’s popped up for you, I’m going to look for it at the San Bernard Refuge tomorrow, in a protected spot where it dependably can be found. I think it’s a little early to find them in open ditches or prairie, but who knows? Happy springtime flower!

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    • I think you’re right. Once the whole crowd of plants pops up and are blooming, it’s just a mass of gorgeousness, rather than the obvious individual spots of color.

      I wish I knew exactly which variety of spiderwort I have, though they’ve been growing so long and have spread so much, that they’re probably all a jumble of wonderful genetic mixes.

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  5. That flower certainly stands out. Congratulations on getting your clean-up done. I would always wait until the last minute. Here, the snow is melting, but there is more coming this weekend. I bought a planter for my lettuce, and I’m thinking of putting it together. They are also promising warmer weather.

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    • Thanks, Judy. I started late this year and had to work in high gear to get it done–which it isn’t quite yet. But what I have left is done on a more leisurely schedule, so I’m past the most intense stage of work. I guess your winter clean up is now much later than you’ve become accustomed to.

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  6. I have a path on the side of my house I let go fallow in the winter and in the spring it is solid purple with spiderworts. Hate the oozy slime they have, and they’re hard to grub out- but worth it for the flowers!

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