Callisia rosea
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Callisia graminifolia
- Cuthberthia rosea
- Phyodina rosea
- Tradescantia graminifolia
- Tradescantia rosea
- Phonetic Spelling
- kah-LEE-see-uh RO-zee-uh
- Description
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Piedmont roseling is a native perennial and a member of the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae). It is found in the southeastern United States from Virginia to Florida in sandy, shallow, or rocky soils. It is disease, heat, and humidity tolerant. The genus name, Callisia, is derived from the Greek word, "kallos" meaning "beauty." The species name, rosea, is Latin for "rosy."
The Piedmont roseling is a clump of thin, sheath-like, simple, green leaves with small solitary pink to lavender flowers with gold stamens. They bloom from spring to early summer. The blossoms open in the morning and close by mid-afternoon. The fruit is a small green capsule that matures in 2-3 weeks after flowering. The capsule becomes dry and papery and splits open to release its seeds. Seeds may be sown and germinate in 2 weeks. They may also be stored over winter and planted in the early spring. Propagation may also be accomplished by the division of large clumps of the plant in the fall.
The Piedmont roseling is a low-maintenance plant and prefers partial shade. Sandy, acidic soil is well-tolerated. Once the plant is established it becomes more drought tolerant.
The flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. The Piedmont roseling is well suited as a groundcover in rock gardens or shade gardens.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Morning Grace'
Dwarf spiderwort, delicate lilac flowers, and green foliage
- 'Morning Grace'
- 'Morning Grace'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Morning Grace'
Dwarf spiderwort, delicate lilac flowers, and green foliage
- 'Morning Grace'
- 'Morning Grace'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Callisia
- Species:
- rosea
- Family:
- Commelinaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Shade
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Verticillium wilt resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The small, light-green capsule will mature in 2-3 weeks after the plant flowers. In a few days, the capsule becomes papery and dry before splitting open to release the seeds. To collect the seeds, it may be best to tie a small bag around the capsule before it splits open.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- This plant has a dainty, solitary, three-petaled, pink to a lavender flower that blooms from spring to early summer. Three sepals are smaller than the showy flower. There are six gold stamens The diameter of the flower measures 0.5 to 1 inch in diameter. Typically, the flowers are produced in the morning and close by mid-afternoon.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves of the plant are fine, green, narrow, and sheath-like. They tend to grow in clumps. The distal blades are as wide as the basal sheaths when they are opened and flattened.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- The plant has slender stalks and green leaves.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
