Viola betonicifolia
mountain violet
Eastern and southern Australia and eastern Asia
Overview
Viola betonicifolia is a tufted perennial violet that grows from a central rootstock rather than runners, forming clumps 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) high. The leaves are narrow and arrow- to lance-shaped, 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, held more or less upright on long stalks, with shallowly toothed margins. Flowers are carried singly on stalks 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) tall, each about 0.6-0.8 inch (1.5-2 cm) across, violet to purple with a paler, darker-veined throat and a short spur. Flowering occurs mainly in spring. Unlike the creeping native violets, this species stays in a tidy clump and spreads only by seed, including from self-pollinating flowers produced near the ground. It grows in moist, well-drained soils in sun to part shade and dies back in hard frost or extended drought, regrowing from the rootstock.
Native Range
Native to eastern and southern Australia and east to eastern Asia. In Australia it grows in grassland, open forest, and montane meadows of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and Queensland, on moist soils from the lowlands to the mountains.Suggested Uses
Grown in rockeries, woodland borders, and containers, and among native grasses in meadow plantings, spaced 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) apart. Suits moist, partly shaded spots where a clumping, non-spreading violet is wanted. Also grown for its spring flowers in small native gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 8"
Width/Spread6" - 10"
Bloom Information
Flowers mainly in spring, roughly September to November, with scattered blooms into summer in cooler areas. Open violet flowers come first, followed by smaller self-pollinating flowers near the ground that set seed without opening. Individual flowers last about a week.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
violet to purpleFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil with added organic matter. Water through spring and summer to keep soil moist; the clump dies back in extended drought and regrows from the rootstock when moisture returns. It spreads only by seed, so it does not run like the creeping violets. Frost cuts the foliage back below about 25°F (-4°C), with fresh growth from the crown in spring. Slugs and snails feed on leaves in damp weather. Clumps can be divided in early spring or raised from seed.Pruning
Spent flower stems are trimmed to keep the clump tidy and to limit unwanted seedlings. Frost-damaged foliage is cut back in late winter before new growth. No other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons