{"product_id":"viola-labradorica","title":"Viola labradorica","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eViola labradorica\u003c\/em\u003e: Dark Leaves Dressed to Match the Flowers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis violet tints its little heart-shaped leaves purple, darkest in cool weather and shade, like it's sulking stylishly. Mauve-purple flowers pop up in spring and sometimes again in fall. MOODY? YES. CHARMING? ALSO YES.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Characteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eViola labradorica\u003c\/em\u003e of gardens (now generally treated as \u003cem\u003eViola riviniana\u003c\/em\u003e Purpurea Group)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purple Labrador Violet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–10 cm (2–4 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–20 cm (6–8 in), slowly filling in by self-sowing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small mauve-purple violets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring (May to June), often with a few flowers again in fall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small, heart-shaped leaves tinted purple, darkest in cool weather and shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purple-tinted leaves, gentle self-seeder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere to Plant:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it as a small-scale groundcover at the front of a shady bed, under shrubs, along a woodland path or between stepping stones. It also tucks nicely into shady rock gardens and the edges of containers. It self-seeds readily, so expect little seedlings around the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompanion Plants:\u003c\/strong\u003e Let Labrador violet carpet a moist, shady bed under opal lungwort, a crested fern and a dark ligularia. \u003cem\u003ePulmonaria Opal\u003c\/em\u003e opens pale opal-blue bells at 30 to 35 cm in April and May. \u003cem\u003eAthyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae'\u003c\/em\u003e adds crested lady fern fronds at 45 to 60 cm. \u003cem\u003eLigularia 'Midnight Lady'\u003c\/em\u003e brings dark leaves and golden daisies at 90 to 100 cm from July to September. \u003cem\u003eHakonechloa 'Aureola'\u003c\/em\u003e edges the bed at 30 to 46 cm with gold-striped blades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in part shade or shade in average to moist soil that drains well. It likes humus-rich ground, so add compost or leaf mould if your soil is poor. Water during long dry spells, especially in its first season. There's little to do. Tidy up any tired leaves in early spring. It seeds itself gently around the bed. Pull or move the seedlings if they pop up where you don't want them. Slugs sometimes nibble the leaves in damp spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory:\u003c\/strong\u003e True \u003cem\u003eViola labradorica\u003c\/em\u003e is a small wild violet of northern North America, including Labrador, which gave it its name. The purple-leaved plant sold in nurseries under that name usually turns out to be a form of the European dog violet, \u003cem\u003eViola riviniana\u003c\/em\u003e Purpurea Group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Thoughts:\u003c\/strong\u003e It gently self-seeds into the gaps, so the shade fills in without effort. LET IT SULK ALL OVER THE BED.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ground Covers","offers":[{"title":"Tray of 15 Plants (10cm Pots) \/ Purple \/ 4","offer_id":67851586306326,"sku":"VIOLLA10","price":134.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0870\/5366\/4534\/files\/Violalabradorica.png?v=1793797412","url":"https:\/\/blacksheepperennials.com\/products\/viola-labradorica","provider":"Black Sheep Perennials","version":"1.0","type":"link"}