sand violet
Viola affinis
USDA zones6 to 8
SunHandles partial sun to partial shade
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Sizeup to 10 inches tall
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Purple
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Notes
Sand violet (Viola affinis) is a perennial for ground cover, meadow, and low maintenance gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 6, or down to -10°F (-23°C). This plant likes part sun or part shade and average to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. The purple flowers have a white throat, and the three lower petals are somewhat hairy. The glossy, heart-shaped leaves are narrow in spring and grow much larger in summer. It stays 6 to 10 inches tall.
Pairs well with Lady fern, Speedwell, and Miscanthus.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 35 more places. See all 39
AL, AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV; ON, and QC.