Viola missouriensis
Missouri violet
Overview
Viola missouriensis is a low-growing herbaceous perennial reaching 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall, forming a basal rosette of leaves from a short rhizome. The leaves are triangular to heart-shaped, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long and wide, with shallow rounded teeth along the margins and a smooth or sparsely hairy surface. In early to mid spring the plant produces stalked flowers held just above or among the leaves. Each flower is pale lavender to blue-violet, about 0.5-0.75 inch (12-20 mm) across, with a white throat and darker veins on the lower petals that guide insects to nectar. Later in the season it forms closed, self-pollinating flowers near the ground that set seed without opening. Viola missouriensis grows in moist woodlands, floodplains, stream banks, and bottomland soils across the central United States. It spreads by seed, which is carried by ants, and can naturalize into lawns and beds. The plant goes dormant in summer heat and drought. It is closely related to the common blue violet Viola sororia and is sometimes treated as a variety of it.
Native Range
Viola missouriensis is native to the central United States, from the Great Plains east to the Mississippi valley and south to Texas and the Gulf. It grows in moist woods, floodplains, and stream banks.Suggested Uses
Viola missouriensis is used as a groundcover in shade and woodland gardens, in native plant borders, and along moist stream banks, spaced 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) apart. It naturalizes under trees and in lawns where mowing is delayed until after bloom. The early flowers supply nectar for spring bees, and the foliage hosts the larvae of fritillary butterflies.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 8"
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Open flowers appear in early to mid spring, roughly March to May, over a 4 to 6 week period. Through summer the plant produces closed flowers at ground level that self-pollinate and set seed. The spring bloom is brief compared with the season-long seed production.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale lavender to blue-violet with white throatFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 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
Viola missouriensis grows in part shade to full shade and medium to moist, humus-rich soil, matching its woodland origin. It tolerates full sun where the soil stays moist but goes dormant in hot, dry conditions. Water during dry spells to extend the growing season and hold the foliage green. The plant self-sows freely and spreads into lawns and adjacent beds. It needs no fertilizer in soils with organic matter. Established plants are low-maintenance and largely free of serious pests, though slugs chew the foliage in wet weather.Pruning
No routine pruning is required. Spent leaves are removed if they yellow during summer dormancy. Seed heads are left for self-seeding or removed before they ripen to limit spread into lawns.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons