We were pleased to come upon one of our favorite house plants, My Lady’s Pocketbook, growing amidst the lush midsummer greenery of the celebrated Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile, Alabama, where we had an interesting visit with Johnny, horticultural expert and well-known superintendent of the gardens.
This amusing foliage plant known botanically as Rhoeo discolor or Tradescantia discolor is a native of Mexico and the West Indies. Our little specimen came to us as a gift from the collection of an old lady. We welcomed it as an amiable, decorative addition to our window garden where it provides a bright spot of color.
It is neat and grows erect to a height of from 10 to 12 inches. Its long alternate leaves point upwards and are of a vivid green narrowly margined with claret. The edges are wavy, curling inward to show to advantage the brilliant claret or plum against green.
Before Rhoeo blooms, one wonders why its curious common names: My Lady’s Pocketbook, Moses-in-the bull rushes, Three-men-in-a-boat, Babe-in-the-cradle, Manger Plant, Oyster Plant, Boat Plant. But soon a quaint red and green spathe-like pouch appears on a short stem at the base of one of the lower leaves. It looks for all the world like the images suggested by its nursery rhyme names.
There is a small opening at the top of the pouch from which, tiny, snow-white, three-petaled flowers emerge and continue to peep out. Under favorable conditions the blooming persists for two months or more.
Our experience with Rhoeo would indicate that it has a decided preference for warmth and moisture both in soil and temperature. It thrives on a kitchen shelf with a southeastern exposure where it gets plenty of sun and warmth and moisture from the cooking. Plants potted in glazed ware with no drainage hole have grown and blossomed best.
Rhoeo increases by means of small shoots which start from the soil level. These shoots may be removed and planted separately or allowed to remain to increase the breadth of the plant. New divisions usually must become well established before they will bloom. A little patience is rewarded abundantly, however, by the unique flowering that arouses interest in all who see it.
The plant has one easily corrected fault. The bottom leaf turns brown beginning at the tip. We clip the ends or remove the leaf to keep the plant looking trim. In May, or whenever there is no further danger from frost, this foliage plant may be set out either in its pot or transplanted directly into the garden. It will provide color throughout the summer.
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