Labrador Violet

The Labrador Violet is a dainty but resilient perennial ground cover, perfect for adding a touch of moody colour to the woodland garden floor. It is most famous for its stunning, heart-shaped foliage which is a deep, dark purple-green, often appearing almost black in certain lights. This dark backdrop makes the small, delicate violet-blue flowers pop when they appear in mid-spring and early summer. It has a low, spreading habit and will gently self-seed around the garden, finding its way into cracks and crevices to create a naturalistic, 'planted' look. It is fully hardy (H7) and prefers moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade, although it will tolerate full sun if the soil is kept moist enough. In the UK, it is often used as a contrast plant against brighter greens or yellows. While small, it is surprisingly tough and can handle colder, damper positions better than many other violet species. It is a classic choice for underplanting taller, spring-flowering shrubs.

Sun: Partial shade.

Soil: Moist, humus-rich soil.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: Apr, May, Jun.