A charming harbinger of spring, Wood Violet is a low-growing native perennial that brightens the early-season garden with its delicate purple-blue blooms. Flowering from April to June, this groundcover thrives in moist, well-drained soils and spreads gently by seed and rhizome to form lush, green carpets under trees and in shady garden corners.
Well-suited to Northern Michigan (Zone 5a), Wood Violet prefers part to full shade and tolerates a variety of soil conditions, including clay. Its nectar-rich flowers attract early-season pollinators like bees and fritillary butterflies, and its foliage is a host plant for several butterfly species. A great choice for naturalized areas, shade gardens, and native woodland plantings.
Bloom Time: Spring (April to June)
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Height: 4–8 in
Soil: Moist to average; tolerates clay
Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies; host plant for fritillary caterpillars
Uses: Shade gardens, woodland edges, groundcover, naturalized plantings, pollinator habitats
A charming harbinger of spring, Wood Violet is a low-growing native perennial that brightens the early-season garden with its delicate purple-blue blooms. Flowering from April to June, this groundcover thrives in moist, well-drained soils and spreads gently by seed and rhizome to form lush, green carpets under trees and in shady garden corners.
Well-suited to Northern Michigan (Zone 5a), Wood Violet prefers part to full shade and tolerates a variety of soil conditions, including clay. Its nectar-rich flowers attract early-season pollinators like bees and fritillary butterflies, and its foliage is a host plant for several butterfly species. A great choice for naturalized areas, shade gardens, and native woodland plantings.
Bloom Time: Spring (April to June)
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Height: 4–8 in
Soil: Moist to average; tolerates clay
Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies; host plant for fritillary caterpillars
Uses: Shade gardens, woodland edges, groundcover, naturalized plantings, pollinator habitats
