Viola sororia

RHS Plant Profile

woolly blue violet

RHS

Other common names

common blue violet, Confederate violet, northern blue violet

Synonyms

Viola septentrionalis
Viola papilionacea

Herbaceous Perennial

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a stemless, rhizomatous perennial to 15cm tall with deciduous, heart-shaped leaves to 10cm long. Short-spurred, violet-blue flowers to 2cm in diameter are borne on leafless stalks in spring

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Violaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Viola can be annuals, biennials or deciduous or evergreen perennials, with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and 5-petalled flowers of characteristic shape
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: E North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade; self seeds freely

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in late winter or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Rock garden
Garden edging
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering unless seed is required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, violet gall midge

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, pansy leaf spot, a virus and a rust