1 named cultivar

‘Silver Gem’Silver Gem Violet

perennialN. America Native

Violet

Viola walteri

The Story

Plant Bio

Viola walteri, prostrate blue violet, is a low creeping perennial native to the southeastern United States, growing only one to six inches high and spreading to about a foot. Its light green rounded leaves are mottled and veined with silver, and inch-wide blue-violet flowers with bearded lateral petals open in spring above the mat.

The foliage is the reason to grow it — silver-veined and near-evergreen, holding through winter when most violets vanish, which is unusual in a native groundcover for shade. It supports fritillary butterfly larvae, which feed on violets and nothing else, so a patch is worth more to that butterfly than any nectar plant.

Uses & Benefits:

Silver-veined mottled foliage that holds through winter, with blue-violet spring flowers.

A true native groundcover for shade that stays low and does not run aggressively.

Sole larval food for fritillary butterflies, plus nectar for bees and other pollinators.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

6 inches

Width

12 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Southeastern United States

Toxicity

Non-toxic; violet flowers are edible

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in partial to deep shade.
Give it moist, freely draining woodland soil.
Space plants a foot apart to knit into a mat.
Water through the first season while establishing.
Leave the foliage over winter; it is near-evergreen.
Divide congested mats in early spring.

Pro Tip

Fritillary caterpillars eat violets and nothing else, so leave any chewed leaves — that damage is the plant doing its job.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant it in shade under trees 🌳
Keep the soil moist 💧
Leave winter foliage in place 🍃
Let fritillary caterpillars feed 🦋

Don't

Plant it in hot full sun ❌
Spray caterpillars on it ❌
Let it dry out while establishing ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Enjoy

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Native woodland groundcoverShaded path edging and small spacesButterfly and pollinator planting

Companion Plants

Foamflower Wild Ginger Christmas Fern Woodland Phlox Green and Gold

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Violet questions

What zones can Violet grow in?

Violet is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Violet deer resistant?

Yes — Violet is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Violet bloom?

Violet typically blooms in spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Violet need full sun?

Violet does best in part shade.

Is Violet drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Violet handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.