Spiderworts may be pegged as common garden plants, but their unique flowers and strong habits mark them as uncommonly good garden plants. A kaleidoscopic palette of colors marks the ephemeral blossoms of Tradescantia cultivars. Just over half of the spiderworts in the study received four-star good ratings for their performance and ornamental qualities. As plants begin to turn shabby from decline or leaf spotting, shearing stems to the base will encourage a flush of new growth later in the season.