Blue Violet

Viola adunca

perennial herbView on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

moderate

Soil

Fast, Medium, Slow; Adaptable.

Size

1–1ft tall

Bloom

Mar-Aug

Foliage

Deciduous

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Edible

Flowers and leaves eaten raw or cooked; petals used in salads

Native Range

Grasslands, scrub, and open woodlands of the mountains throughout California, 2000-8000 ft elevation, extending throughout western North America.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant Blue Violet in full sun to part shade in spring or fall, spacing plants about 6–12 inches apart since they spread via underground rhizomes. This adaptable plant tolerates fast, medium, or slow-draining soil, but prefers well-drained conditions to prevent rot. It works well as a groundcover in woodland and meadow gardens, and can even thrive in containers if you're short on space.

After Planting

Water moderately year-round, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the first growing season. Blue Violet is deciduous and will die back in winter, which is normal - simply leave it alone and it will return in spring. The biggest mistake is overwatering in heavy clay soil or letting it dry out completely; aim for soil that drains well and stays evenly moist. Once established in your second year, it becomes a low-maintenance groundcover that spreads on its own.

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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported

Zerene FritillarySpeyeria zerene

Zerene Fritillary; multiple subspecies of concern including S. z. hippolyta (ESA listed 1992)

Federal: Threatened, CA: Threatened

Bog FritillaryProclossiana eunomia

California endemic, restricted to high elevation wetlands

CA: Endangered

Myrtle's SilverspotSpeyeria mormonia

California endemic, limited to coastal scrub habitat in San Mateo County

CA: Endangered, CA Special Concern

Hydaspe FritillarySpeyeria hydaspe