General Description | Mat-forming creeper found in shady locations, often used as ground cover. Stays a evergreen under snow. Is less aggressive than V. minor. |
Shape | Mat-forming groundcover. |
Landscape | Used for ground cover in moist, shady areas at foundations, planting beds, often seen under woody plants. Attractive spring blossoms. |
Propagation | Propagate by rooting semi-ripe stem cuttings in summer or crown division. |
Cultivation | Grows best in partial sun to full shade in moist, well-drained soils, and is adaptable to pH and drought. The foliage will become chlorotic in full sun and the plant may fail. |
Pests | Phomopsis livella (dieback) can become a serious problem. |
Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Buds appear in April after developing under the mat of foliage. Purplish, lanceolate buds, 1 cm long, on erect shoots. |
Leaf Description | Elliptical, small (1-5 cm long) light green leaves with a cream-yellow, narrow margin, in both a spiral and opposite leaf arrangement. |
Flower Description | Solitary, perfect, purple flowers originate vertically from leaf axis and bloom from early spring to mid summer. Pinwheel formation, 12 cm in diameter with a five-lobed corolla. |
Texture Description | Dense branching, soft leaves and a fine texture, comfortable to walk on. |