Along came some spiders
From left: the beauty of a spider flower, a spider daylily, and spiderwort.
Photos by L.A. Jackson
A spider?! Yikes!
Not fond of these eight-legged creatures, eh? Don’t let that stop you from welcoming other kinds of spiders into your garden, though. There are botanical gems with names that include “spider,” in reference to their arachnid-like characteristics that blend beauty and charm to create must-have plants for backyard growers—even those scared of real spiders.
Below are three such special—not spooky—spiders for your green thumb enjoyment this growing season:
Spider Daylilies (Hemerocallis sp.). This is a classification of daylilies defined by the American Hemerocallis Society as a selection that has flowers with petals at least four times the length of their width—and in this case, for more interesting flower power, the longer the length, the better. Exotic, intriguing, inviting—these are the traits of such blooms that reach out their skinny fingers to extend a welcome into the garden. And don’t worry about rarity because there are hundreds of cultivars. Some of my current favorites include Jan’s Twister, Skin Walker, Yabba Dabba Do, Easy Ned, Cleo and Stoplight.
Spiderwort (Tradescantia sp.). When cut, the stems of this perennial ooze a liquid that, upon hardening, resembles the threads of a spider’s web. Add “wort,” an Old English word for “plant,” and you have “spiderwort.” You also have dependable native beauties brimming with 1-inch, three-petal flowers that are a worthy addition to any summer border. Bluish-purple is the typical bloom color, but cultivars have been developed to stretch their spectrum into pleasing pinks and delicate whites. Spiderworts do best in partially shaded areas, but they can also show off in sunny locations if mulched and given extra water, especially in the summer.
Spider Flower (Cleome sp.). Also known as “cleome,” this fast-growing annual displays large (up to 8 inches in diameter), round, spindly blooms that look like—you guessed it—spiders. Different colored spiders, too. The flowers can sport lavender, pink, rose or white hues. Blossoms are typically held aloft on sturdy 4- to6-foot stems, although dwarf cultivars, such as from the popular “Sparkler” series, restrain their stretch to about 3 feet tall. This sun-worshipping pretty can be easily grown from seed. If kept healthy and happy in well-worked, organically enriched soil, many spider flower cultivars will reseed in the garden.
April in the Garden
• Scented geraniums are at their best when they are in the way, meaning place them at the front of a border, on the corner of a path or close to a doorway where passersby will brush up against them, releasing the plants’ nose-tickling aromas.
• For quicker, stronger starts from tomato transplants, take advantage of warm soil close to the surface (which encourages strong root growth) by setting the plants just a few inches deep parallel to the ground in trenches rather than holes. Bury all but the upper 4 to 5 inches of each plant.
Tip of the Month
Have the warming spring breezes inspired you to plant an herb garden? If you’re new to such a venture, instead of going for perennials like rosemary, mint, lemon balm, fennel, thyme or oregano that will require attention for years to come, consider annuals—ephemeral, one-season pleasantries you can try out to gauge whether you want to become a full-blown, dedicated herbalist or not. You’ll find plenty of annual herbs to choose from, including dill, anise, basil, borage, cilantro, summer savory and nasturtiums. In general, herbs prefer a sunny site. They also need well-draining soil, something a raised bed made from landscape timbers can quickly create.
L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.