Viola canadensis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- vy-OH-la ka-na-DEN-sis
- Description
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Canadian violets are eastern North American herbaceous perennial wildflowers in the violet family (Violaceae). Native to the mountains and Piedmont of North Carolina, they can be found in rich mesic areas, such as floodplains. The species epithet means “native to Canada.”
Performance is better in cool summer climates of the northern U.S. and Canada than in hot summers like most of North Carolina. Heavy shade and being planted under black walnut trees do not affect this plant. They freely self-seed to the point of being weedy.
They do not spread by runners like other violets; however, they may form clumps. They have showy fragrant white tinged with purple flowers from summer to fall. The flowers face outward at the tips of short, slender stalks. This variety can be distinguished from other white violas by its flowers that grow from the axils of the upper leaves and its yellow petal bases.
This plant supports Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona) and Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria atlantis) butterfly larvae. Nectar from the flowers attracts butterflies and bees. Members of the genus Viola support the following specialized miner bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia. Birds and small mammals use the seed fruits as a food source. This plant is resistant to damage by deer.
They are probably too weedy for rock gardens or borders but do well in shaded woodland gardens. Canadian violet is good for butterfly gardens, children's gardens, and pollinator gardens. It can be used in the front of the border or as a groundcover.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Self-seeds to the point of being invasive. It may be considered too aggressive for most gardens.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viola
- Species:
- canadensis
- Family:
- Violaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- Distribution:
- AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Meadow Fritillary butterfly and Atlantis fritillary larvae. Nectar from the flowers attract butterflies and bees. Members of the genus Viola support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia. Butterflies and moths use this plant as a larval host. Birds and small mammals use the seed fruits as a food source.. This plant is resistant to damage by deer.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Resistant to damage by deer.
- Edibility:
- The flowers are edible.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The oval capsule is up to 1/2 inch long and covered in fine hairs. It changes from green to brown before splitting into 3 sections to release numerous brown seeds. In North Carolina, fruits are available from June to August.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Single flowers are about 1 inch across or less, slightly irregular with 5 white petals, distinctly yellow at the base, and dark purple lines on the lower petal. The side petals are “bearded” with tufts of short hairs. The backs of the petals are tinged purple. In North Carolina, flowers are available from April to July.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The basal and stem leaves are mostly heart-shaped with scalloped edges or shallow teeth and are 2-4 inches long and 3 inches wide. The tips are sharply pointed. The stem leaves are longer and narrower than basal ones. Fine hairs are on leaf edges and along major veins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green with a purplish tinge. Typically, hairless or may have a few scattered hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Problems:
- Weedy
