Plant care & info

Family: Violaceae

Genus: Viola

Common name: Violet

Up to thirty species are native throughout the Pacific Northwest—from sea-level to sub-alpine on both sides of the Cascades—in moist woods, grasslands, and dry rocky areas.

Leaves are generally small and heart-shaped (though drier-country violets tend to have thinner, more distinctly-cut leaves), with singular, showy flowers of yellow, bluish purple or white (depending on species). There are five distinct petals, some bearded, some striped.

Seed pods generally form in a tripod that tends to explode upon contact when ripe, spreading seeds. Some have a sticky substance attractive to ants, who then take them and bury them, further helping the violets’ natural spreading capabilities.

Most species are shade-lovers, but some are happy in part to even full sun. The woodland species like it on the moist side, but there are those that happily thrive in dry shade to sun!

Slugs and snails can be a problem for the woodlanders. Other than that, native violets seem to be pretty much pest/disease-free.

They’re so widespread and similar in appearance that they can sometimes be difficult to identify in the wild. From low-elevation bogs and wetlands to mid-elevation woodlands and dry meadows at higher elevations—there are native violets to be found at every location and in every situation.

Violas can be divided into “woodland” and “non-woodland” varieties. The former are native to the mostly moist, shady settings of low to mid-elevation forests. The others are at home in more open shade/sun of meadows and the drier, less fertile settings native in higher elevations east of the Cascades. These are often suitable for home rock-gardens. All are springtime bloomers.

Explore More Native Violets

Stream Violet

Viola glabella: Stream Violet

This is one of the most widespread violets in Western Oregon. V. glabella spreads by rhizomes and will eventually carpet the ground with its cheery presence. Given enough moisture, it can become somewhat aggressive, but drier conditions can help keep it iin check. Slugs and snails find the leaves to their liking, but other than that all-too-common pest, these violets are pretty immune to trouble in the garden.

Evergreen Violet

Viola sempervirens: Evergreen Violet

Another woodland violet for moist conditions,this species can be found in mossy, mostly-shady areas from low to mid-elevations. It is more compact and diminutive than V. glabella, but with similar yellow flowers. It is a suitable choice for planting between stepping stones.

Early Blue Violet

Viola adunca: Early Blue Violet

This species is low-growing, with more triangular leaves and bright blue to blue-violet flowers. V. adunca prefers shade to dappled sun and moist soil, but it is adaptable to a much wider variety of settings—including full sun if given sufficient moisture. Its unique characteristic is that the foliage is a major food source for the endangered Oregon Silver Spotted Butterfly.

Viola beckwithii

Viola beckwithii

Native to Central and SE Oregon native. Upper petals are usually deep maroon,and lower petals are white to lavender with darker streaking.

Viola douglasii

Viola douglasii

Grows in sunny meadows and grassy slopes that are wet in spring and dry in summer. This species produces yellow flowers with purple streaks on lower petals.

Viola palustris

Viola palustris

Flowers are pale white and lavender with darker veining. This species is uncommon and grows in marsh or swampy areas.

Viola trinervata

Viola trinervata

Considered one of the more garden-worthy of the dry-land species, with roundish, pale lavender lower petals and yellow upper petals. Grows in seasonally moist, summer dry areas.