Michelle, I also think what you have is iresine purple lady. I've had this plant in the ground as a ground cover about a year. Here is what it looks like up close: I planted it in two areas. About 5 very small plants from my local nursery, in each spot. This area gets about a half day or more of sun: This area gets about two thirds day sun: Under these conditions it took less than a year to get very thick and is now spreading pretty quickly (you can get the idea from how it is invading the heliconia). I think it is also reseeding. I love the color this plant brings to my garden. So far, it is worth it to me, but maybe I'll regret it someday. My DH edges it with the grass edger in the first area, but I'm going to have to get in there on my hands and knees and get it away from the heliconia in the other area. I have to say it balks at heat and drought, and that is very important in my yard. Anna

There are other types of tibouchina that I don't think are quite as demanding, perhaps? At least mine wasn't, until I killed it by moving it in hot weather. Here's a photo of the one I had, peeking out from behind my rudbeckia triloba, though I don't know which one it is. It was really pretty. Bloomed well for me in a large container for a long time before going into the ground. Then it bloomed well there, until the fatal shovel came along! I don't suppose anyone can tell which one it was from this poor photo? Marcia

My neighbor Georgeanne has had that plant for years, but doesn't know the name of it. The person who gave it to her had lived in Hawaii and brought it from there. Georgeanne says it will freeze, and she takes it inside for the winter. She said it has never bloomed, but since she has several plants I think she starts it from cuttings or root divisions. I have the feeling it is some type of euphorbia, which is a huge family of plants. Probably someone on here will come up with a positive identification.

Officially designated as moderately invasive on LI. http://www.nyis.info/user_uploads/6b9da_Vinca%20minor.NYS.pdf