Viola sororia (woolly blue violet) — Bushy

Overview

Viola sororia is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Viola, part of the Violaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Viola sororia grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, rock garden, banks and slopes, conservatory and greenhouse, coastal, flower borders and beds, garden edging, wildflower meadow, wildlife gardens and underplanting of roses and shrubs. It is native to Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan.

About

Viola sororia ( vy-OH-lə sə-ROR-ee-ə), known commonly as the common blue violet, is a short-stemmed herbaceous perennial plant native to eastern North America. It is known by a number of common names, including common meadow violet, purple violet, woolly blue violet, hooded violet, and wood violet. This perennial plant is distributed in the eastern half of the United States, Canada, and a part of eastern Mexico. Its native habitats are rich, moist woods, and swamps located in the eastern half of the United States and Canada. Mature plants reach roughly 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Viola sororia

About the genus

Viola, commonly known as the violets, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Violaceae. It is the largest genus in the family, containing over 680 species. Most species are found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere; however, some are also found in widely divergent areas such as Hawaii, Australasia, and the Andes.

Wikipedia contributors, "Viola (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Viola (plant)

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Viola

Sunlight: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type: Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered

Plant details

Viola sororia size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
Habit: Bushy
Foliage: Deciduous
Height: 0.1-0.5 metres
Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height: 2-5 years
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Banks and slopes, Conservatory and greenhouse, Coastal, Flower borders and beds, Garden edging, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Native to: Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Viola sororia

Propagation: Seed, Division, Softwood tip cuttings, Stem cuttings
Pest resistance: Slugs, Snails, Aphids, Glasshouse red spider mite, Violet gall midge
Disease resistance: Powdery mildews, Pansy leaf spot, Pansy downy mildew, A virus, A rust

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Viola sororia?

Viola sororia prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Viola sororia need?

Viola sororia is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.