Shadey Shopping...and question.

Bluecanoe · Post by **Bluecanoe** » Jun 21, 2005 11:38 pm

As I mentioned in another post, we went plant shopping today. It wasn't only shade plants, but I was out of labels and had to get a supply of those, found some really nice copper ones. DH was pricing sod and since this place delivers that was an important task too.

What I came home with was a really nice gallon pot of Athyrium Ghost, we thought it would look really nice in the front garden along with the "Lady In Red" Athyrium, and Japanese painted fern that are already there. I've been wanting Ghost for several years and was happy to see a nice thick pot of it.

However, I spotted a pots of 'Labrador Violets' and couldn't resist picking up a pot of that too. I do grow violets in my yard, mostly in the back garden, (and through the lawn) but all white ones that only bloom in spring. The Labrador ones I haven't seen before, just loved the colour of the foliage and shape of the leaves. I've been reading up on them and see that I have soil and conditions they like, plus areas in the rock garden that need a nice ground cover. I haven't read anywhere that they're intrusive except may to another very short type of ground cover, I plan to grow it with hostas, ferns, sedums and heuchera. If anyone can give me some information that I made a bad choice for that area, please let me know, it's not planted yet!

Thanks

doublemom2 · Post by **doublemom2** » Jun 24, 2005 11:12 am

I got viola labradorica a few years ago, and am still trying to get rid of it to this day! Sorry to burst your bubble, maybe it just likes my Pac. Northwest climate too much, but it just goes absolutely crazy here. I have it coming up in potted plants 50 feet away from where it was originally planted. It particularly likes to come up directly in the middle of a nice clump of hostas, and it's a pain to pull out from those tight spots.

I agree with liking the color of the leaves, the purplish tinge is wonderful, but just be careful where you plant it and plan on pulling out hundreds of seedlings if it really takes off.

Just wanted to give you a fair word of warning

Andi

doublemom2 · Post by **doublemom2** » Jun 24, 2005 11:14 am

Duh! I forgot to mention... you're going to LOVE athyrium 'Ghost'. Mine is in it's third year, and it's not as fast growing as the other painted ferns, but the coloring on Ghost is just wonderful, there's nothing else quite like it in my gardens and it really stands out.

Andi

rosemarie · Post by **rosemarie** » Jun 27, 2005 12:35 pm

I agree with Andi about the violets We have been here 30 years, and while they are pretty, I am still trying to get them out of the lawn. They travel on runners and every year I have hit them with weed and feed and every year they come back like unwanted relatives.

Bluecanoe · Post by **Bluecanoe** » Jun 30, 2005 2:25 am

OOps...planted it last weekend in a spot I had to remove Hosta Chantilly Lace from. Don't know how it would do here, but since it's native to eastern Canada, U.S. and Greenland, I bet it'll love it..ahem...