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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