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Herbaceous Perennial

Viola riviniana

common dog violet

a mat-forming rhizomatous perennial with ovate, heart-shaped leaves and violet flowers with a pale spur, in late spring and early summer

Other common names

dog violet
wood violet

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Ultimate height

Up to 10cm

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Violaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Viola can be annuals, biennials or deciduous or evergreen perennials, with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and 5-petalled flowers of characteristic shape
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Europe, N. Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Excellent for wild or woodland garden. Grow in moist but well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens
Wildflower meadow
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails, glasshouse red spider mite and violet gall midge

Diseases

May be affected by pansy leaf spot and powdery mildews

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