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Viola banksii

Banks' violet

Violaceae Eastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Viola banksii is a low, spreading perennial that forms a dense groundcover 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) high, rooting at the nodes as it runs to cover 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) or more. The leaves are kidney- to heart-shaped, 0.6-1.6 inches (1.5-4 cm) wide, with scalloped margins and long stalks held above the creeping stems. Flowers stand singly on stems 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) tall, each about 0.5-0.8 inch (1.2-2 cm) across, with the upper two petals deep violet-purple and the lower three white, marked with purple veining. Flowering occurs through most of the year in mild climates, peaking in spring and summer. The plant spreads by above-ground runners and self-seeds in moist, shaded ground. It fills bare soil within one to two seasons but can creep into lawns and adjacent beds, and the foliage browns in full sun or hard frost.

Native Range

Native to eastern Australia along the coast and ranges of New South Wales and southern Queensland. Grows in moist, shaded sites in eucalypt forest, on rainforest margins, and along creek banks, on sandy to loamy soils rich in leaf litter.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a groundcover in shaded borders, under trees, between pavers, and in hanging baskets and containers, planted 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) apart to knit together. Suits damp, shaded spots where lawn grasses struggle. Its spreading runners can crowd small companions in mixed plantings.

How to Identify

Recognised by kidney-shaped scalloped leaves on a creeping, node-rooting habit and two-toned flowers with deep purple upper petals over three white lower petals. The white lower petals separate it from Viola hederacea, with which it was long confused and which has paler, more evenly coloured flowers. Plants stand only 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) tall but spread widely by runners.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 4"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers for much of the year in frost-free climates, with the heaviest flush from spring through summer, roughly September to March. In cooler areas flowering pauses over winter. Individual flowers last about a week, and the plant blooms in repeated flushes while soil stays moist and shaded.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand peat

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in part shade to full shade in moist, humus-rich soil; tolerates morning sun, but foliage scorches in hot afternoon sun. Water to keep soil consistently moist, as the shallow roots dry out quickly in containers and raised beds. Spreads by runners to form a mat within one to two seasons and can be lifted and divided at any time in mild weather. Frost cuts back the foliage below about 28°F (-2°C), with regrowth from the crown in spring. Slugs and snails feed on leaves and flowers in damp conditions. The runners root as they spread, so the plant can move into lawns and neighbouring beds.

Pruning

Runners are trimmed at the edges to keep the mat within bounds during the growing season. Tattered or frost-burnt foliage is mown or sheared off in early spring to make way for fresh growth. No other pruning is needed.

Pruning Schedule

early spring