Purple Leaved Plant Id

nav 544 · September 2018

Went for a curry yesterday afternoon to Southall in West London and saw these plants in the beds beside the pavement. It may have been the light at the time of day, but the colour of the leaves was quite lucid.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/5c/fe5tomyfil1j.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/h4/bq1pxd9xzkir.jpg

Not a plant I've seen before , any idea's?

The leaves are 6-8 inches long and you can just about make out some light magenta flowers.

Silver surfer · September 2018

Tradescantia pallida purpurea

https://www.google.com/search?q=Tradescantia+pallida+'Purpurea&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwimoYjUtM_dAhUqIMUKHWBABhEQ_AUIDigB&biw=1920&bih=944

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tradescantia_pallida

JennyJ · September 2018

I have it as a houseplant (both that purple one and a silver striped one). The last few years I've stuck some rooted bits into my hanging baskets amongst the flowers. Broken off bits root really quickly in a glass of water.

nav 544 · September 2018

Thanks @Silver Surfer, @JennyJ, i have always seen Tradescantia as house plants and had not come across the purple variety, i also never realised that the leaves get so long, i'd always imagined them as being quite compact.

I'm surprised that they are used outdoors in the UK, but after some reading it looks like they can get by with a bit of mulching.

JennyJ, have you managed to keep any alive outdoors over winter please?

ZeroZero1 · September 2018

they have the wow factor!

Purple Leaved Plant Id

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