Viola labradorica
A compact, low-growing groundcover with purple-tinged, heart-shaped leaves and lavender-blue spring blooms, thriving in cool, moist, well-drained shade and spreading by creeping underground stems to form a versatile mat for woodland, rock, or shaded borders.
Common Names
Labrador Violet, Alpine Violet, American Dog Violet, Purple Labrador Violet
Summary
Labrador Violet is a native, low-growing perennial from moist woods of Greenland, eastern Canada, and the Northeastern United States. It forms semi-evergreen, spreading mounds with purple-tinged heart-shaped leaves and small purple to violet-blue flowers in spring, growing to 2–6 inches tall and 4–12 inches wide.
It tolerates full sun to partial shade and prefers average to moist, well-drained soil; hardy in zones 3–8. Spreading by creeping stems and self-seeding, it works well as a ground cover or understory in woodland, rock, and border plantings. Propagation is by seed or division, and maintenance is low; the plant is deer-resistant and suitable for garden naturalization.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3-6 inches
Spread
8-12 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3-8
Sunlight Requirements
Partial shade is ideal; tolerates full sun with adequate moisture.
Soil Type
Moist, well-drained, humus-rich loam soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (about 6–6.5).
Soil Drainage
Moist, well-drained soil (not soggy).
Soil pH
6–6.5, Slightly acidic to neutral
Bloom Color
Purple
Bloom Time
Spring to Summer
Foliage Color
Purple, bronze-purple, purplish-green leaves
Fall Foliage Color
Purple
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf, Semi-deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast-growing
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Schrank
- Publication
- Denkschr. Königl.-Baier. Bot. Ges. Regensburg 1(2): 12 (1818)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Malpighiales
- Family
- Violaceae
- Genus
- Viola
Synonyms
Viola muhlenbergiana Viola conspersa Viola adunca var. minor Viola conspersa f. conspersa Viola muhlenbergiana var. minor Viola canina var. muhlenbergii Viola muhlenbergiana var. albiflora Viola muhlenbergii