Commelina virginica
Virginia dayflower
Overview
Commelina virginica is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall, spreading into colonies by underground stems. The stems are erect to leaning, with swollen nodes, and carry lance-shaped leaves 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) long that clasp the stem with a hairy sheath fringed with red-brown hairs. From July to September clusters of flowers emerge from a folded leaf-like bract, each flower with three equal blue petals about 0.5 inch (12 mm) wide. Each flower opens for a single morning and closes by afternoon, the source of the name dayflower. Commelina virginica grows in moist to wet woods, swamp edges, ditches, and stream banks across the southeastern and south-central United States. The three equal-sized blue petals separate it from the introduced Asiatic dayflower Commelina communis, which has two large upper petals and one reduced lower petal. It spreads steadily by rhizomes and can form broad patches in damp ground. Plants tolerate shade and wet soil but spread less in dry, sunny sites.
Native Range
Commelina virginica is native to the southeastern and south-central United States, from New Jersey and Pennsylvania south to Florida and west to Texas and Kansas. It grows in moist woods, swamp margins, ditches, and stream banks.Suggested Uses
Commelina virginica is used in rain gardens, pond and stream edges, moist woodland gardens, and naturalized wet areas, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. Its tolerance of wet, shaded ground suits low spots where many perennials fail. It works as a groundcover where its spreading habit can be accommodated.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Commelina virginica grows in part shade to full shade and medium to wet, humus-rich soil, including clay and consistently moist ground. It tolerates full sun where the soil stays wet but spreads more slowly in dry sites. Water during dry spells to hold the soil moist and the foliage green. The plant spreads by rhizomes and self-sown seed and can form broad colonies, so it is given room or contained where spread is unwanted. No fertilizer is needed in soils with organic matter. It has few serious pests and tolerates periodic flooding.Pruning
Stems are cut to the ground in late winter before new growth begins. Plants are cut back after flowering to limit self-seeding if spread is a concern. No other routine pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons