sweet violet
Viola odorata
USDA zones4 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size4 to 6 inches tall12 to 24 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Clumping
- Bloom season
- Spring, winter
- Bloom color
- Blue, purple
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Sweet violet (Viola odorata) is a perennial for ground cover, shade gardens, rock gardens, and cottage gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full or part sun and dry to wet soil of most types. The evergreen clumps spread quickly, so give them room, and the blue to purple flowers are fragrant. It sits low on the menu for deer and rabbits. Bees and butterflies visit the blooms in early to late spring.
Pairs well with Lenten rose, Foam flower, and Christmas fern.
Native range
Europe.