common blue violet
Viola sororia
USDA zones3 to 9
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size6 to 9 inches tall6 to 9 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- White, blue
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Common blue violet (Viola sororia) is a perennial for shade gardens, ground cover, and food gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. You can eat the glossy leaves in salads or cook them as greens, and the flowers can be made into candies and jellies. It self seeds freely, so pull extra seedlings to keep it in bounds. It sits low on the menu for deer.
Pairs well with Jack in the pulpit, Eastern columbine, and Pagoda dogwood.
Native range
Eastern North America.