Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea'
Purple Heart, Purple Spiderwort
This striking, rough-textured perennial has made the transition from houseplant to accent perennial or small-scale groundcover. Excellent in a hanging basket with stems and leaves draping to 1-1/2 feet or more. Plants may be killed to the ground with winter cold but regrow quickly the next spring season. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Tradescantia virginiana
Spiderwort, Spiderlily
This Spiderwort grows as a clump up to 2 feet high with arching to erect, grasslike leaves. Flowers live for one day only, but are profuse so provide a long-term show of color. Species flowers bloom in shades of violet and purple; selections are available in many other flower colors. It can reseed to become invasive. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Tulbaghia violacea
Society Garlic
The pale purple flowers of Society Garlic bloom on top of small thin stems. Foliage produces a faint garlic scent when brushed or bruised. Selections with variegated foliage are also available. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Verbena lilacina
Lilac Verbena
Lilac Verbena is a mounding groundcover or subshrub with a long flowering season. Relatively cold hardy. Locate where it will receive some afternoon shade in hot summer areas. The popular cultivar 'De La Mina' has darker flowers but cold hardiness is about 25F. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Veronica gentianoides
Gentian Speedwell
Light blue flowers bloom on tall stems in late spring and summer. With time, plantings form mats of flowers and foliage. Dies back in cold winter regions. Does not tolerate dry periods; maintain even moisture. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Veronica liwanensis
Turkish Speedwell
This delicate groundcover-perennial actually grows just an inch high, excellent as a rock garden plant or between steppingstones. Flowers are tiny but an intense shade of blue. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Veronica spicata
Spike Speedwell
Dramatic, upright flower spikes are the hallmarks of Spike Speedwell. Regular deadheading (removing spent flowers) is rewarded with a long bloom season. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Viguiera deltoidea
Goldeneye
Goldeneye grows as a small shrub form, free-flowing for naturalistic plantings. Canopy coverage: 3 square feet.
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Zephyranthes grandiflora
Fairy Lily
The upright mounding form of Fairy Lily catches your eye with its striking flowers. Similar plants worth considering include 'Prairie Sunset', a hybrid. It remains more evergreen during the hot-summer season. Another, known as Rain Lily, has attractive white flowers. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Zinnia acerosa
Desert Zinnia
Desert Zinnia develops into a low, mounding cover. It is at home tucked between rocks and boulders. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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Zinnia grandiflora
Prairie Zinnia
Prairie Zinnia is a low, spreading plant with yellow daisylike flowers. Expect a nice, long period of summer color. Canopy coverage: 1 square foot.
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