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03/27/2023Ashland covered bridge closed for DelDOT repairs. Find an alternate route.Details

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Mt Cuba Center
Mt. Cuba Center view of the West Slope Path
Explore the Gardens Virtual Tour Virtual Tour
HOURS

Gardens open on Saturday, April 1. Plan your visit today!

Mt. Cuba Center view of the West Slope Path
Explore the Gardens Virtual Tour Virtual Tour
HOURS

Gardens open on Saturday, April 1. Plan your visit today!

Mt. Cuba Center view of the West Slope Path
Explore the Gardens Virtual Tour Virtual Tour
HOURS

Gardens open on Saturday, April 1. Plan your visit today!

Mt. Cuba Center view of the West Slope Path
Explore the Gardens Virtual Tour Virtual Tour
HOURS

Gardens open on Saturday, April 1. Plan your visit today!

Explore the Gardens Virtual Tour Virtual Tour
HOURS

Gardens open on Saturday, April 1. Plan your visit today!

03/27/2023
Ashland covered bridge closed for DelDOT repairs. Find an alternate route.

Details
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Mt Cuba Center
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Viola pedata

Native Plants

Birdfoot Violet

3 Photos


Summary

Large striking flowers and distinctive finely divided foliage, resembling a bird’s foot, make this violet a delightful plant for the rocky, well drained garden. This 4-8” tall clumping perennial has showy 1-1½”, five-petaled flowers varying in color from white to pale blue and dark purple, sometimes bicolored with vivid orange stamens. Birdfoot violet will tolerate filtered shade but thrives in a sunny dry site with acidic soils. Sharp drainage is key to keeping this plant alive in the garden. It is a larval and nectar source for the regal fritillary butterfly. Birdfoot violet is a great plant for the rock garden as a companion for Aquilegia canadensis, Phlox nivalis, Bigelowia nuttallii, and Silene virginica.


More Details

  • Plant Type
    perennial 
  • Sun/Shade Conditions
    filtered-shade, full-sun 
  • Foliage Character
    evergreen, semi-evergreen 
  • Soil Moisture
    dry 
  • Flowering Period
    early-spring, mid-spring
  • Soil PH
    acidic 
  • Flower Color
    blue, lavender, purple, white 
  • Summer Foliage Color
    green 
  • Fall Foliage Color
    green 
  • Fruit/Seed Color
    brown, tan