Characteristics of the Birds Foot Violet

by Janet Coyt – February 02, 2016

The Viola Pedata or Birds Foot Violet

The Birds Foot Violet is a perennial mountain plant that grows in northeastern American areas.

The Appalachian mountain range is the leading home for these wildflowers. Large, light purple flowers bloom in mid-spring or early summer. The plant grows best in the USDA zones of 4-9 and likes full or partial sun.

The bird's foot violet is very particular about where it lives. These plants are complex to suit as they prefer well-drained acidic soil. Overwatering can quickly kill these plants. These plants are best grown between USDA zones 4 and 9. They also favor areas like rock gardens and areas where other plants struggle to live. The hard work put into keeping this plant alive is very rewarding. The number of Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds is incredible, making it perfect for animal lovers and those who need pollinators for their other plants. The flowers of this plant are great,  a light blue or purple. Plus, the leaves of this plant are evergreen, giving it color even in the dead of winter; these leaves are also soft-textured.

This plant may be very particular about its living conditions but will thrive when placed in a good location. It will also give you plenty of beautiful flowers. The flowers will make tiny seeds that can be used to grow new plants were ever needed. This plant's watering needs are average, but it can easily be killed if overwatered or underwatered. The plant's pollinator-attracting ability is excellent for placing near fruiting plants that need as much pollination as possible. Overall, this plant is perfect for hard rocky soil and rock gardens, making it a hit for those who live in these areas.

Bird's Foot Violet An Aborigine for the Persuaded Landscaper

The bird's foot violet (Viola pedata) is one plant that I love - I have been a veteran gardener for 30 years, growing plants from wildflowers. This small but hardy wildflower is a work of art of nature. Adapted to open woodlands and sandy loams in North America, Bird's Foot Violet is elegant enough for any native garden. The leaf splits so neatly, a bit like a bird's claw, giving it its name, and its flowers, pale lavender to dark violet with a touch of orange center, are as beautiful as they come.

You don't need much for this plant-just good drainage and a sunny or partially shaded place where it can soak up some light. It does very well in conditions that other plants are likely to find difficult-rock face or sandy loam are its home territory, in my experience. It has grown like a wildflower where others have failed; I've witnessed it. It flowers from early spring to early summer and is one of the first signs of the garden recovering.

But more than a pretty sight, the Bird's Foot Violet is an indispensable species for native ecosystems. Its blooms are loaded with nectar, and a wide range of pollinators come from the native bees and butterflies. For the Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly, violets such as this allow larvae to feed and develop, and it's a basic component of biodiversity.

The Bird's Foot Violet Are Always in Demand

And the Bird's Foot Violet - this I have thought often- is one of the things I have always loved about gardening: the grace in adversity. Its resistance to soil that isn't quite the right fit is much like the toughness of a veteran gardener over time. To plant Bird's Foot Violets is a relationship with the earth. It doesn't just flower; it blooms and does it so naturally with little attention because sometimes I think some of the best things in the world happen by design.

They coexist happily in my garden with local favorites such as black-eyed susans and Wild Blue Phlox in a carpet of hues and forms. I'm an old gardener and love that this humble plant inspires young people to value native plants and take care of them. Bird's Foot Violet isn't a flower. It's a tale of perseverance, humility, and the unsung joys of living in tune with the earth.

TN Nursery offers Sweet Violets, which are similar.

Source to Buy Violets: TN Nursery

Products from the article

Sweet Violet - TN Nursery

Sweet Violet

Sweet Violet - Viola odorata Sweet Violet is a low-growing wildflower with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant, deep purple flowers often found in woodlands and gardens. They offer numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping projects, enhancing outdoor spaces' visual appeal, ecological diversity, and sensory experience. This perennial flowering plant contributes to various dimensions of landscape design. It is a long-lived perennial wildflower that some people call "wild violet." The ancient Greeks revered the flower as a symbol of fertility and used it in love potions. Perfumers prize its wonderful fragrance, and confectioners use it to add color and beauty to gourmet candies. Natural Habitat Of Sweet Violet Native to Europe and naturalized in the United States, it grows naturally in open deciduous woodlands and hedgerows. It appears along forest edges and adds bright springtime color to clearings, pastures, meadows, and swamps. The flower's blooming season typically starts in February and lasts through May. Appearance Of Sweet Violet  It grows in four-inch-tall rosettes. Its delicate, aromatic flowers are typically dark purplish-blue, but lilac, lavender, pink, and white variations are common. The tiny, five-petaled blossoms are about one inch across and slightly taller than they are wide. The foliage underneath the flowers consists of downy, dark green, heart-shaped leaves with toothed edges. Both the flowers and the leaves rise from horizontal runners. This Perennail Makes A Great Ground-Cover Gardeners frequently plant it to add color and greenery to their landscaping. This plant adds quiet charm to cottage gardens, woodland gardens, borders, and planters. It does well in flower beds and adds color underneath shrubs and trees. The cut flowers make lovely candies and decorations for desserts. Once established, it will spread out moderately, giving this plant a good ground cover in moist, sunny areas. You can propagate the plant with seeds or divide it late in the season after they stop flowering. Cut the runners and any spindly tendrils in late fall to encourage a bright show of blooms in spring. It Provides Food Sources For Pollinators Though they grow close to the ground, the plants are an essential food source for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and moths. Woodland butterflies drink their nectar, and caterpillars eat their leaves. Songbirds and grazing animals enjoy eating the foliage and seeds, including rabbits, geese, woodchucks, and deer. When you want to add color and subtle beauty to your garden, planting it will help you welcome the spring season year after year. What conditions does it thrive in They grow best in partial to full shade and well-draining, moist soil. They are perfect for shaded garden borders, in containers, or under large trees, where they add color to dark spaces.  When do they bloom They bloom in early spring and produce delightful flowers in shades of purple, white, or pink color. Their flowers are attractive and give out a soft and rather magical scent.  Are they easy to grow Yes, they are easy to cultivate, so they suit new gardeners. Once they have been planted, they grow on their own and do not really need any tending apart from occasional watering and weeding.  Can they be grown indoors Absolutely! they can do well in pots and, therefore, can be brought indoors, provided they receive indirect sunlight. For instance, putting them in a location close to a light window will ensure they grow successfully.  Do they attract wildlife  Yes, sweet violets attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. These plants can help make your outdoor space vibrant and lively.
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Sweet Violet - TN Nursery

Sweet Violet

Sweet Violet - Viola odorata Sweet Violet is a low-growing wildflower with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant, deep purple flowers often found in woodlands and gardens. They offer numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping projects, enhancing outdoor spaces' visual appeal, ecological diversity, and sensory experience. This perennial flowering plant contributes to various dimensions of landscape design. It is a long-lived perennial wildflower that some people call "wild violet." The ancient Greeks revered the flower as a symbol of fertility and used it in love potions. Perfumers prize its wonderful fragrance, and confectioners use it to add color and beauty to gourmet candies. Natural Habitat Of Sweet Violet Native to Europe and naturalized in the United States, it grows naturally in open deciduous woodlands and hedgerows. It appears along forest edges and adds bright springtime color to clearings, pastures, meadows, and swamps. The flower's blooming season typically starts in February and lasts through May. Appearance Of Sweet Violet  It grows in four-inch-tall rosettes. Its delicate, aromatic flowers are typically dark purplish-blue, but lilac, lavender, pink, and white variations are common. The tiny, five-petaled blossoms are about one inch across and slightly taller than they are wide. The foliage underneath the flowers consists of downy, dark green, heart-shaped leaves with toothed edges. Both the flowers and the leaves rise from horizontal runners. This Perennail Makes A Great Ground-Cover Gardeners frequently plant it to add color and greenery to their landscaping. This plant adds quiet charm to cottage gardens, woodland gardens, borders, and planters. It does well in flower beds and adds color underneath shrubs and trees. The cut flowers make lovely candies and decorations for desserts. Once established, it will spread out moderately, giving this plant a good ground cover in moist, sunny areas. You can propagate the plant with seeds or divide it late in the season after they stop flowering. Cut the runners and any spindly tendrils in late fall to encourage a bright show of blooms in spring. It Provides Food Sources For Pollinators Though they grow close to the ground, the plants are an essential food source for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and moths. Woodland butterflies drink their nectar, and caterpillars eat their leaves. Songbirds and grazing animals enjoy eating the foliage and seeds, including rabbits, geese, woodchucks, and deer. When you want to add color and subtle beauty to your garden, planting it will help you welcome the spring season year after year. What conditions does it thrive in They grow best in partial to full shade and well-draining, moist soil. They are perfect for shaded garden borders, in containers, or under large trees, where they add color to dark spaces.  When do they bloom They bloom in early spring and produce delightful flowers in shades of purple, white, or pink color. Their flowers are attractive and give out a soft and rather magical scent.  Are they easy to grow Yes, they are easy to cultivate, so they suit new gardeners. Once they have been planted, they grow on their own and do not really need any tending apart from occasional watering and weeding.  Can they be grown indoors Absolutely! they can do well in pots and, therefore, can be brought indoors, provided they receive indirect sunlight. For instance, putting them in a location close to a light window will ensure they grow successfully.  Do they attract wildlife  Yes, sweet violets attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. These plants can help make your outdoor space vibrant and lively.
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