Viola sororia (Common Blue Violet)
Viola sororia (Common Blue Violet)
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Pure Live Seed
Pure Live Seed
Seed is provided in Pure Live Seed (PLS) unless otherwise stated.
Pure Live Seed (PLS) expresses the viable seed content of a seed lot using its purity and germination or viability test results. It helps you compare seed lots and calculate how much bulk seed is needed to meet a specified PLS planting rate.
PLS weight and bag weight
PLS weight is not the same as the total weight of seed in a bag. For example, a lot with 80% purity and 75% viability contains 60% PLS: 80 × 75 ÷ 100 = 60. Supplying 10 lb PLS from that lot requires about 16.67 lb of bulk seed.
Use the current seed test and the stated basis of the mix specification. Germination calculations may include applicable hard or dormant seed. Seed-count estimates also require the number of seeds per pound; PLS alone does not provide a seed count.
What to check when buying a mix
Check whether each rate is stated in PLS pounds, bulk pounds, or a combination. A mix with both bases should not be described as having an all-PLS total.
PLS does not remove weed seeds or guarantee establishment. Review the seed label and analysis for weed content, and match site preparation, planting conditions and follow-up management to your project.
Sources: USDA NRCS, Understanding Pure Live Seed and The Importance of Seed Quality for Natural Resource Conservation.
Weight Conversions lbs. to oz.
Weight Conversions lbs. to oz.
0.01 pounds = 0.16 ounces
- 0.1 pounds = 1.6 ounces
- 0.25 pounds = 4 ounces
- 0.5 pounds = 8 ounces
- 0.75 pounds = 12 ounces
- 1.00 pounds = 16 ounces
Common blue violet can make a generous spring colony, with flowers rising above heart-shaped leaves. Flower color varies, and the plant readily finds openings in gardens and lawns where there is room to spread.
Sun exposure for Viola sororia: sun; Shade. Soil conditions: moist soil preferred; wet soil tolerated. Recorded habitats include woods. Reported height: 3 to 8 inches.
Growth habit: thick, branching rootstock often forms colonies. Allow space for this growth between neighboring plants over several seasons, rather than spacing only for the size of a young plant.
Plant specifications
Key growing facts
| Sunlight | Sun; Shade |
|---|---|
| Soil moisture | Moist soil preferred; wet soil tolerated |
| Height | 3 to 8 inches |
| Bloom season | April–June (Minnesota observations) |
Show / hide ▾Native Landscaping Companion Plants
Build a layered native planting with grasses and sedges as a matrix, ground covers, seasonal flowers, and plants for texture. Explore the full curated Rain Garden & Wet Prairie list below. Match light, soil moisture, mature size, and spreading habit to your site.
Native Landscaping Guide — plan your planting
Hover over a plant name or expand Growing information for details. Short: under 2 ft · Medium: 2 to under 4 ft · Tall: 4 ft or more.
Rain Garden & Wet Prairie
Choose plants for the moisture and light in each part of your rain garden. Basin plants tolerate wetter soil; moist slopes drain between storms. Prairie dropseed is for the dry upper margin only. Shaded, draining positions suit the spring woodland companions.
Shop rain garden landscaping plants
Click the buttons below to expand a list of species.
Grasses & Sedges — Matrix Species
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Brown fox sedge (Carex vulpinoidea)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; brown seedheads · Season: Late spring–summer seedheads · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Dense, upright clumps · Note: Useful as a wet-soil matrix; can self-seed freely.
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Meadow sedge (Carex granularis) — not currently listed for sale
Growing information
Height: 0.75–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue-green foliage; green to brown seedheads · Season: Late spring–early summer seedheads · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Low, leafy clumps · Note: Also called pale sedge; useful as a low matrix in moist soil. Not currently listed for sale.
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Palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis)
Growing information
Height: 2–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Green foliage; tan seedheads · Season: Late spring–early summer seedheads · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / shaded lower slope · Form: Arching, palm-like foliage · Note: Best in moist pockets; spreading clumps provide distinctive foliage.
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Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) — Margins only
Growing information
Height: 1.5–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; airy tan seedheads · Season: Late summer–fall seedheads · Light: Sun · Moisture: Average to dry; well-drained · Rain garden position: MARGINS ONLY — dry upper rim · Form: Fine-textured clumps · Note: Margin-only exception: keep out of the wet basin and saturated soil. Foliage is usually 1–2 ft tall.
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Small yellow fox sedge (Carex annectens)
Growing information
Height: 1.5–3.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; yellow-brown seedheads · Season: Late spring–summer seedheads · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Upright clumps · Note: Clump-forming sedge for moist portions that drain between rains.
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Soft rush (Juncus effusus)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green stems; brown flower clusters · Season: Summer flowers; foliage interest · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lowest moist areas · Form: Upright, cylindrical stems · Note: Also called common rush; rhizomes can expand clumps.
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Tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa)
Growing information
Height: 1–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Green foliage; airy tan seedheads · Season: Summer seedheads · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist · Rain garden position: Cool, moist slope · Form: Fine-textured clumps · Note: Best in cooler, moist pockets; not a dry-prairie grass.
Ground Covers
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Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis)
Growing information
Height: 0.75–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Spreading, low colonies · Note: Aggressive rhizomes can crowd smaller plants; allow room to spread.
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Common blue violet (Viola sororia) — Ground cover
Growing information
Height: 0.25–0.75 ft (Short) · Color: Purple-blue · Season: Spring · Light: Part sun to shade · Moisture: Moist; drains between rains · Rain garden position: Shaded, draining slope · Form: Low, spreading ground cover · Note: Reseeds freely and can spread strongly; best where a spreading groundcover is desired.
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Golden ragwort (Packera aurea) — wholesale only
Growing information
Height: 1–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Spring (April–May) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Moist slope / shaded lower slope · Form: Low foliage; upright flower stems · Note: Can spread aggressively and crowd smaller plants. Foliage is lower than the flowering stems.
Flowers
Spring
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Blue flag iris (Iris virginica var. shrevei)
Growing information
Height: 2–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Blue-violet · Season: Late spring–early summer (May–June) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright, sword-shaped foliage · Note: Rhizomes can form colonies; allow room to expand.
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Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis)
Growing information
Height: 0.75–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Spreading, low colonies · Note: Aggressive rhizomes can crowd smaller plants; allow room to spread.
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Common blue violet (Viola sororia) — Ground cover
Growing information
Height: 0.25–0.75 ft (Short) · Color: Purple-blue · Season: Spring · Light: Part sun to shade · Moisture: Moist; drains between rains · Rain garden position: Shaded, draining slope · Form: Low, spreading ground cover · Note: Reseeds freely and can spread strongly; best where a spreading groundcover is desired.
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Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) — User choice / optional
Growing information
Height: 1–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Branching, loose clumps · Note: User choice / optional. An informal, naturalistic look—best for gardeners who enjoy a wilder style.
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Golden ragwort (Packera aurea) — wholesale only
Growing information
Height: 1–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Spring (April–May) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Moist slope / shaded lower slope · Form: Low foliage; upright flower stems · Note: Can spread aggressively and crowd smaller plants. Foliage is lower than the flowering stems.
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Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium reptans) — Moist, draining shade
Growing information
Height: 0.5–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Pale blue · Season: Spring · Light: Part sun / partial shade · Moisture: Moist, well-drained · Rain garden position: Shaded upper slope · Form: Low, leafy clumps · Note: Use a sheltered, moist position that drains; avoid standing water and hot, dry exposure.
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Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)
Growing information
Height: 1–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Yellow · Season: Early spring (April–May) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet; consistently moist · Rain garden position: Wet basin / seep-like area · Form: Low, rounded clumps · Note: Best where roots stay moist; may go dormant after flowering, especially as soil dries.
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Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) — Moist, draining shade
Growing information
Height: 1–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue; pink buds · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist · Rain garden position: Shaded, draining slope · Form: Spring ephemeral clumps · Note: Spring ephemeral; summer dormant. Avoid hot, exposed or persistently waterlogged positions.
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Wild hyacinth (Camassia scilloides)
Growing information
Height: 1–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Pale blue to nearly white · Season: Late spring (May–June) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic; drains between rains · Rain garden position: Draining moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Spring bulb; upright flower spikes · Note: Spring ephemeral; dormant by midsummer. Can be slow to establish; avoid prolonged standing water.
Summer
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Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Growing information
Height: 1–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow with a dark center · Season: Summer · Light: Sun · Moisture: Moist to average; drains between rains · Rain garden position: Upper slope / draining wet-mesic edge · Form: Upright, short-lived clumps · Note: Use the draining upper part of the rain garden. Usually biennial or short-lived; renews by seed.
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Blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) — wholesale only
Growing information
Height: 1.5–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue-purple · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / lower slope · Form: Bushy, spreading colonies · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes and seed; keep away from small, delicate companions.
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Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Growing information
Height: 2–3.5 ft (Medium) · Color: Red · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Needs consistent moisture; vivid red flowers.
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Common ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)
Growing information
Height: 2–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Purple · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Basin / moist slope · Form: Upright, branching stems · Note: Can reach the tall category; use moist pockets.
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Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
Growing information
Height: 4–7 ft (Tall) · Color: White · Season: Early summer–midsummer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Tall, slender flower spires · Note: Tall; use toward the back of a planting.
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Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Growing information
Height: 1–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Blue · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / moist shaded slope · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Needs consistent moisture; can self-seed into suitable gaps.
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Marsh blazing star (Liatris spicata)
Growing information
Height: 2–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Purple · Season: Midsummer–late summer · Light: Sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Also called dense blazing star; best in moist soil that drains between storms.
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Monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Lavender-blue · Season: Summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright, leafy stems · Note: Can self-seed into open, moist soil.
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Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana)
Growing information
Height: 2–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pink to lavender · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes; give it room and strong companions.
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Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Growing information
Height: 2–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright, branching stems · Note: Allow room for tall, branching stems in moist soil.
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Spotted Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
Growing information
Height: 4–7 ft (Tall) · Color: Dusty pink · Season: Summer–early fall (July–September) · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Tall, broad flower heads · Note: Tall; can be aggressive. Best for larger rain gardens with room to spread; may overwhelm smaller companions.
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Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Growing information
Height: 2–6 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pink · Season: Summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright, branching clumps · Note: Also called rose milkweed; avoid prolonged drought.
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White turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to consistently moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright clumps · Note: Keep consistently moist; spreads gradually by rhizomes.
Fall
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Blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) — wholesale only
Growing information
Height: 1.5–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue-purple · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / lower slope · Form: Bushy, spreading colonies · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes and seed; keep away from small, delicate companions.
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Bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii)
Growing information
Height: 1–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue · Season: Late summer–fall (August–October) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Compact, upright stems · Note: Slow to establish; pair with companions that will not crowd it.
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Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Growing information
Height: 2–3.5 ft (Medium) · Color: Red · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Needs consistent moisture; vivid red flowers.
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Common ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)
Growing information
Height: 2–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Purple · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Basin / moist slope · Form: Upright, branching stems · Note: Can reach the tall category; use moist pockets.
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Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Growing information
Height: 1–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Blue · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / moist shaded slope · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Needs consistent moisture; can self-seed into suitable gaps.
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New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Growing information
Height: 3–6 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Purple to pink · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Tall, branching stems · Note: Tall; can spread aggressively, especially by seed.
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Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana)
Growing information
Height: 2–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pink to lavender · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes; give it room and strong companions.
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Ohio goldenrod (Oligoneuron ohioense)
Growing information
Height: 2–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Sun · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Upright stems; flat-topped flower clusters · Note: A late-season choice for moist prairie conditions.
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Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Growing information
Height: 2–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright, branching stems · Note: Allow room for tall, branching stems in moist soil.
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Spotted Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
Growing information
Height: 4–7 ft (Tall) · Color: Dusty pink · Season: Summer–early fall (July–September) · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Tall, broad flower heads · Note: Tall; can be aggressive. Best for larger rain gardens with room to spread; may overwhelm smaller companions.
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White turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to consistently moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright clumps · Note: Keep consistently moist; spreads gradually by rhizomes.
Texture
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Blue flag iris (Iris virginica var. shrevei)
Growing information
Height: 2–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Blue-violet · Season: Late spring–early summer (May–June) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright, sword-shaped foliage · Note: Rhizomes can form colonies; allow room to expand.
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Brown fox sedge (Carex vulpinoidea)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; brown seedheads · Season: Late spring–summer seedheads · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Dense, upright clumps · Note: Useful as a wet-soil matrix; can self-seed freely.
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Meadow sedge (Carex granularis) — not currently listed for sale
Growing information
Height: 0.75–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue-green foliage; green to brown seedheads · Season: Late spring–early summer seedheads · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Low, leafy clumps · Note: Also called pale sedge; useful as a low matrix in moist soil. Not currently listed for sale.
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Palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis)
Growing information
Height: 2–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Green foliage; tan seedheads · Season: Late spring–early summer seedheads · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / shaded lower slope · Form: Arching, palm-like foliage · Note: Best in moist pockets; spreading clumps provide distinctive foliage.
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Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) — Margins only
Growing information
Height: 1.5–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; airy tan seedheads · Season: Late summer–fall seedheads · Light: Sun · Moisture: Average to dry; well-drained · Rain garden position: MARGINS ONLY — dry upper rim · Form: Fine-textured clumps · Note: Margin-only exception: keep out of the wet basin and saturated soil. Foliage is usually 1–2 ft tall.
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River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
Growing information
Height: 1.5–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Green to bronze hanging seedheads · Season: Summer–fall seedheads · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Rain garden position: Shaded, draining slope · Form: Arching clumps · Note: Can seed aggressively; ornamental hanging seedheads.
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Small yellow fox sedge (Carex annectens)
Growing information
Height: 1.5–3.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; yellow-brown seedheads · Season: Late spring–summer seedheads · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Upright clumps · Note: Clump-forming sedge for moist portions that drain between rains.
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Soft rush (Juncus effusus)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green stems; brown flower clusters · Season: Summer flowers; foliage interest · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lowest moist areas · Form: Upright, cylindrical stems · Note: Also called common rush; rhizomes can expand clumps.
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Tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa)
Growing information
Height: 1–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Green foliage; airy tan seedheads · Season: Summer seedheads · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist · Rain garden position: Cool, moist slope · Form: Fine-textured clumps · Note: Best in cooler, moist pockets; not a dry-prairie grass.
Show / hide ▾Growing & planting details
| Growth habit | Thick, branching rootstock often forms colonies |
|---|---|
| Root form | Thick, branched rootstock |
| Soil pH | Acidic, neutral and alkaline soil categories listed by Extension; numerical tolerance limits are not established |
| Cultivation hardiness zones | Zones 3a–7b (general cultivation guidance) |
| Drought tolerance | Low |
| Deer browsing | Deer resistance reported in cultivation guidance; browsing remains possible. |
| Salt tolerance | None |
Plant identification & seed reference
| Botanical name | Viola sororia |
|---|---|
| Other common names | common blue violet; Common Blue Violet; Confederate Violet; Dooryard Violet; Hooded Blue Violet; Hooded Violet; Meadow Violet; Missouri Violet; Purple Violet; Sister Violet; Wild Violet; Wood Violet; Woolly Blue Violet |
| Plant family | Violaceae |
Plant characteristics
Common Blue Violet is found in a wide variety of ecosystems i.e. woodlands, savannas, and more commonly your lawn. The flowers can carry from light purple to blue with stripes of darker colors. They spread through seeds and rhizomes and can actually produce two crops of seed per year.
Show / hide ▾Plant communities & associates
Illinois woodland and stream communities
Middle Fork Woods, Vermilion County (1999–2002 survey). Recorded in: dry-mesic upland forest — mature second growth; mesic ravine forest; dry-mesic savanna — old growth with canopy closure; southern flatwood forest and ephemeral pond; dry upland bluff — east-facing river slope; dry upland bluff — west-facing creek slope; dry-mesic upland forest — immature second growth; perennial stream corridor.
Dry-mesic upland forest — mature second growth — selected native associates: Carex pensylvanica, Carex rosea, Carex blanda.
Mesic ravine forest — selected native associates: Geranium maculatum, Phlox divaricata, Asarum canadense.
These plants share a recorded habitat; they were not necessarily found in the same small plot.
Show / hide ▾Native range & C-value
State nativity describes a broad range. Use the Chicago-region assessment for local context; a state listing does not establish county nativity.
| Wetland indicator — NWPL 2022 Midwest | FAC |
|---|---|
| C-value — Chicago region, Flora 2017 | 3 |
| Chicago-region native — Flora 2017 | Yes |
| Native range — U.S. states | Alabama; Arkansas; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; Nebraska; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; North Dakota; Ohio; Oklahoma; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Vermont; Virginia; West Virginia; Wisconsin |
| County nativity | Not yet verified; occurrence records do not establish nativity. |
Show / hide ▾Pollinators & wildlife
Caterpillars & other plant-feeding insects
This plant has published caterpillar host records for the butterflies and moths listed below. These are larval feeding relationships, separate from adult nectar visits. The records span a North American literature compilation and do not establish that every insect occurs locally or uses only this plant.
Butterflies & skippers
- Argynnis atlantis — Mountain Silver-Spot, Regal Fritillary, Atlantis Fritillary
- Argynnis cybele — Great Spangled Fritillary, Variegated Fritillary
- Argynnis diana — Variegated Fritillary
- Argynnis idalia — Regal Fritillary, Aphrodite Fritillary
- Argynnis nokomis — Nokomis Fritillary
Show / hide ▾Frequently asked questions
What are the ideal growing conditions for Common Blue Violet?
Light: Sun; Shade. Soil moisture: Moist soil preferred; wet soil tolerated.
Is Common Blue Violet deer and herbivore resistant?
Deer resistance reported in cultivation guidance; browsing remains possible. Even plants described as resistant may be browsed. Use physical protection where deer damage is a concern.
When should I expect Common Blue Violet to bloom?
Typical flowering period: April–June (Minnesota observations). Timing varies with location and weather.
Show / hide ▾Sources & ecological notes
Illinois woodland records: Larimore, Phillippe & Ebinger (2008), Middle Fork Woods flora, Appendix I. © 2008 University of Illinois Board of Trustees, CC BY 4.0. Habitat records transcribed, selected and linked to catalog names by Natural Communities. Survey: 1999–2002.
Native range & ecological ratings: Flora of the Chicago Region (2017), via Universal FQA; USACE Chicago FQA (2017); Kew WCVP / Plants of the World Online; USACE National Wetland Plant List.
Growing conditions & other references: Minnesota Wildflowers; USDA NRCS PLANTS; NC State Extension Plant Toolbox.
Wildlife records: Shropshire & Tallamy: caterpillar hosts (2025).
Native range does not identify the origin of the seed or plants offered. Community and wildlife records apply to the locations and conditions described.
Research notes & credits
USACE/ERDC fqadata — Chicago Region FQA 2017. Herman, B., Sliwinski, R. & Whitaker, S. (2017), Chicago Region FQA Calculator; distributed by USACE/ERDC in fqadata under CC0. Values may differ from Flora of the Chicago Region (2017). CC0 dedication. Retained for comparison; the displayed C-value follows Flora database 80.
Range data: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; 4 June 2026 release, accessed 7 September 2026. © The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. CC BY 3.0; selected and reformatted. Kew cannot warrant the quality or accuracy of these data. This use has no Kew endorsement.
Caterpillar host records: Shropshire, K.J. & Tallamy, D.W. (2025), Lepidoptera of North America, Supplement 1. Contains information from this database made available under the Open Database License (ODbL 1.0). Natural Communities selected species-level records and screened source qualifications. The complete selection and transformation instructions for this page are available below under the same license.
Flora rating attribution: Kenneth Johnson (2018), Flora of the Chicago Region UFQA Database, following Gerould Wilhelm and Laura Rericha (2017), Flora of the Chicago Region: A Floristic and Ecological Synthesis. Individual rating facts are presented with original commentary; the calculator’s software license is not treated as a license for the underlying Flora publication.
Caterpillar research records
Plant: Viola sororia
Record scope: Host literature synthesis; no county nativity or local insect occurrence inferred.
Shropshire & Tallamy (2025) · Original research dataset · Reuse license: ODbL-1.0
| Plant names in the source | Source insect record IDs |
|---|---|
| Viola sororia | 201335, 201339, 201340, 201345, 201350 |
How these records were selected
To reproduce this selection, use the “UDELep May 2025” worksheet in the original research dataset.
- Match the insect record IDs above to column A (UDLepID). Within each table row, pair every listed insect ID with every listed source plant name.
- Use the first two words in column H for the insect’s scientific name, column E for its common name, and column AB for its source category.
- Treat the selected pairs as reported caterpillar host records. Keep all other source fields unchanged and outside this selected table. Include no other rows or host pairs.
- Group butterflies and skippers together, and the other categories as moths. Retain the source’s exotic-category labels and sort display names by scientific insect name.
Growing guidance: Illinois Extension — Keeping deer out of the yard and garden. Selected facts in original wording. General deer advice is not a species resistance rating.
Planting references and review
Reviewed: 2026-09-26
Plant spacing:Select a spacing suited to your site and planting design.
Seeding rate: Use a site- and method-specific specification. No verified automatic species rate is supplied.
Seed preparation: A species-specific preparation method and named code system need confirmation for the supplied seed lot.
Plant Shipping & Care
Plant Shipping & Care
We want to ensure that our customers get what they want, a native backyard oasis. To do that, we need to follow a few simple guidelines and give you some information and pointers to make sure you get your plants delivered in a healthy state.
As a reminder, you will receive an email to confirm your pickup or shipping window just before the plants are ready. See Order Fulfillment below for seasonal fulfillment windows.
Choices to Receive Your Plants & Accessories
- Retail online orders: Plant and seed orders ship only, except eligible trees and shrubs offered for pickup. Shipping charges are calculated at checkout.
- Retail pickup — trees and shrubs only: Pickup is available by prior arrangement for eligible woody plants. Some container options are offered for scheduled pickup only. Check the selected product option and the cart pickup instructions before ordering. Pickup and shipped items require separate orders.
- Wholesale orders: Plants, trees and shrubs are available for pickup by arrangement. Delivery can also be arranged for your order. Wholesale pickup is free. All seed orders ship, including wholesale seed.
- Pickup locations and dates are confirmed by email. Please wait for confirmation before traveling to a pickup site. Our offices are not retail stores or nursery pickup locations.
Order Fulfilment - When Your Plants or Other Items Will Be Ready
We take orders all year long and seed is shipped all year, but we only provide the plants to you in certain fulfillment windows to ensure healthy plants.
Wholesale Orders
- Plant pickup and delivery are arranged for your order. Seed ships only.
Retail & Website Orders
- Seed Typically Ships Out Within One Week Of Order All Year Long
- Typically, single species flats ship when ready, sometimes as soon as early to mid-April (depends on weather) through early-October.
- Mixed species kits are batched and shipped as indicated on the product page.
- If a plant order is placed while outside of the plant fulfillment window your plants will be reserved through your payment, however, the order will not be fulfilled and shipped until the following spring. We don't want to provide you plants when they won't be happy during the cold winter months.
- Early in the spring and later in the fall certain species may be dormant or partially dormant with brown leaves, however they will return to grow healthy next growing season.
- Your order may arrive in several different shipments.
- If certain plants within an order will not be available until a later date, we may choose to hold the full order until all are ready. In certain circumstances, we may choose to send them in two separate shipments
- Fulfillment is always dependent upon plant availability. We try our best but sometimes plants do not overwinter well and perish. If a plant is on back order you will receive an email indicating the estimated shipping date. If we can not provide the plant we will first notify you and give you an option of substitution or a refund of that individual species.
- Plants are typically only packaged and shipped on Mondays to ensure they do not sit in the harsh delivery facility for extended periods of time over the weekend. You will receive a confirmation email once your delivery has been shipped and to estimate your delivery date.
- Apparel & accessories are ready typically within one to two weeks. See product page for holiday shipping.
Where We Ship
Natural Communities ships native plants and seed from multiple supplier locations across the Midwest. Shipping coverage extends beyond our local consultation area; see the shipping map below. Availability and delivery options depend on the product and destination. Check the product details and shipping options at checkout, or contact us before ordering if you need help confirming coverage.
Our on-site ecological consulting serves the greater Chicago region and southeastern Wisconsin, including the Milwaukee area. Consultations take place at your property by appointment. Our offices are not walk-in retail stores or plant pickup sites.
What to Expect When Receiving Your Delivery
- Your plants will be packaged with the utmost care
- We will need to cut back certain plants prior to shipping. This seems counter-intuitive, however, the fewer leaves the less water the plants can lose during shipping, resulting in healthier plants for you. This also enables the plants to fit within the protective packaging and shipped safely.
Shipments
- Larger plant shipments will look similar to the picture below with a tray of your plants and a cardboard box to protect them during shipping.
What to Do With Your Plants After Receiving Your Delivery
- Unpack your order IMMEDIATELY
- Inspect for damage and report any issues immediately to Natives@NaturalCommunities.net
- Water your plants
- Install your plants as quickly as possible and water the entire garden area thoroughly
- If you cannot install your plants immediately
- Some plants may not be in a container, put them into some kind of a container such as a paper cup with loose soil until installation
- Make sure each plant is receiving the appropriate amount of light.
- Continue to water daily each morning and possibly again in the afternoon
- No additional fertilizer is needed
Seed Shipping & Care
Seed Shipping & Care
Seed ships all year and typically ships within a week of an order being placed.
We have attempted to put together some basic information regarding native seed installation, establishment, and maintenance. We hope you find it helpful. If you need further assistance on native seed establishment, please schedule a free consolation call here.
Consultation Services
Ecosystem Restoration Considerations
Native Seed Establishment Best Management Practices
Native Seed Stratification Best Management Practices
Solving a Site Problem? Get Expert Advice + Get Store Credit
Whether you're fighting severe erosion, replacing invasive species, designing a pollinator haven, or seeding large acreage, choosing the wrong species wastes time and money. Talk 1-on-1 with a restoration ecologist to map out the exact species, plug counts, or seed mixes for your soil and goals. Book a consultation and get all or a portion credited directly back to your order.