weed suppressing ground cover

[englak]

Hello,

I'm compiling a list of weed suppressing ground covers (perennial or sub-shrub) for the Vancouver area that still allow bulbs to poke through in the spring. Any suggustions would be appreciated!

Karin England

[jimmyq]

consider Arctostaphylos uva-ursi & Cotoneaster dammeri

[Ron B]

To an extent, 2 conflicting ideas: allows bulbs through but not weeds. Many weeds will be better at penetrating and overcoming groundcovers than bulbs, which may only tolerate rather short plants among them on many sites.

[mr.shep]

Oddly enough I was asked a similar question about
20 years ago. The people wanted a low growing
ground cover that would flower for them and be a
weed suppressant and still let their Daffodils pop
through unabated.

My choice for them was certain Violas at a Zone
7 Western Garden Book designation. If we can
plant these "heavy" (several flats worth of plants)
these jewels can take over an area in time as they
can spread by stolons and they can also re-seed
themselves. For a Vancouver planting Viola
labradorica will work in shady areas and can take
some but not a lot of direct, hot sun. The Viola
sororia will work for you also and can take full
sun here. It may fry some in 100 degree temps
with direct sun but can take temps in the 90's here.
I have it in parts of my lawn by design. Viola
sororia 'Freckles' is just a cutie. You can mix
and match the Violets above together along with
Sweet Violet - Viola odorata if you want. The
Dog Violet - Viola riviniana will also work for
you. I am also familiar with the "Dog Ear" Violet
from Japan. I am not sure of the species name
of it right offhand. These will be able to tolerate
your cold also but cannot take direct, hot sun here
well at all but should be okay for you with some
direct sun in Vancouver.

Jim

[Ron B]

Nomenclature note: Viola labradorica hort. = V. riviniana 'Purpurea'.

[mr.shep]

When was it changed and do you know why Viola
labradorica, Labrador Violet, the North American
native is now considered to be a Dog Violet native
to Europe and North Africa? I don't think so. Who
dreamed that up?

Jim

A addendum:

Look at Botanica's Annuals & Perennials, 1999,
on page 914 to see a photo of the Labrador Violet.
Then look at the photo on page 917 of the Viola
riviniana 'Purpurea'. Notice the shapes of the leaves
and the colors and shapes of the flowers. Now, try
to tell me they are the same plant?

[Ron B]

Purple Labrador violet of gardens apparently never was a real Labrador violet, the latter a tiny species from the North that may not be in cultivation. The purple one IS quite apparently a form of Viola riviniana, even reseeding into similar locations in gardens and nurseries here.

[surrealjeanette]

Hi Karin:

R U formerly Karen ESER?
If so,
Pls contact me...
Jeanette Embree
royaltouch@shaw.ca