Viola affinis (Sand Violet)
Native to eastern North America, Viola affinis (Sand Violet) is a low-growing perennial forming a dense rosette of glossy, coarsely toothed, heart-shaped leaves. From mid-spring to early summer, the foliage is topped with attractive, dark-veined violet flowers with conspicuous white throats. This Violet goes dormant and disappears in the summer, but comes back in cool weather. Sand Violet thrives in moist to wet shaded areas, deciduous woods and edges, and boggy meadows.
Native to eastern North America, Viola affinis (Sand Violet) is a low-growing perennial forming a dense rosette of glossy, coarsely toothed, heart-shaped leaves. From mid-spring to early summer, the foliage is topped with attractive, dark-veined violet flowers with conspicuous white throats. This Violet goes dormant and disappears in the summer, but comes back in cool weather. Sand Violet thrives in moist to wet shaded areas, deciduous woods and edges, and boggy meadows.
- Easily growing up to 6-10 in. tall (15-25 cm) and 6-8 in. wide (15-20 cm), this Violet persists by rhizomes and spreads by seeds.
- A part shade lover, it is best grown in average, moist, well-drained soils. Good drought tolerance.
- This cute plant can be used in the shade garden, as a small ground cover under trees, along ponds and streams.
- Propagate by fall-sown seeds, root division. Native to North America.
Requirements
| Hardiness | 6 – 8 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Viola – Violets |
| Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early) |
| Height | 6" – 10" (15cm – 25cm) |
| Spread | 6" – 8" (15cm – 20cm) |
| Spacing | 8″ (20cm) |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
| Tolerance | Drought |
| Garden Uses | Ground Covers |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |