Viola labradorica
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Common Name: Labrador violet
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Violaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Native Range: Northern United States, Greenland, Canada
Garden Location: Ameren Ground Cover Border
Height: 0.25 to 0.5 feet
Spread: 0.25 to 0.5 feet
Bloom Time: May
Bloom Color: Purple, Lavender
Bloom Description: Violet to lavender
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Colorful
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Uses: Groundcover, Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Spreads, sometimes aggressively, by creeping stems and by self-seeding.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Labrador violet is a very low-growing perennial (1-3" high) which is typically utilized both for its small, attractive, heart-shaped, purple-tinged foliage (to 1 inch across) and its lavender-blue spring flowers. Flowers appear atop leafy stems in May (St. Louis area). Native to moist woods in the northern U.S., Canada and Greenland.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Mass as a ground cover for small areas. Filler between stepping stones. Leave undisturbed and allow it to spread in native plant gardens or naturalized areas. Rock gardens.

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