Thursday, April 10, 2008

Zebrina by any other name...

Whatever you do, do not plant Commelina zebrina aka Tradescantia pendul aka aka Zebrina pendula aka Wandering Jew aka Giant Inch Plant aka Speedy Jenny aka Chain Plant in your garden--at least, not if you live in a frost-free area.

It makes a great houseplant with lovely, glossy leaves, pretty flowers, and an undemanding nature. Once in the garden, however, it goes feral--ragged, dusty-leaved, and flower-less, and by any name it is a nuisance. We took ours out three or four years ago, and I got up every morning afterward for weeks and pulled out little Zebrina sprouts, first thing. Guess what?

I am still pulling out starts.

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