downy yellow violet
Viola pubescens
USDA zones3 to 7
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size12 inches tall12 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Orange , yellow
- Foliage color
- Dark green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Downy yellow violet (Viola pubescens) is a perennial for shade gardens, woodland plantings, naturalized areas, and ground cover. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and dry to wet soil of most types. Deer tend to browse other plants first. Bright yellow flowers are veined with purple toward the throat and sit on leafy stems above softly hairy foliage. The blooms are fragrant and attract butterflies and bees.
Pairs well with Woodland phlox, May-apple, Solomon's seal, and White oak.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 39 more places. See all 43
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY; MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, and QC.