Bloom Color

Interesting Notes

Labrador violet is a very low-growing perennial (1-3" high) which is typically utilized both for its small, attractive, heart-shaped, purple-tinged foliage (to 1 inch across) and its lavender-blue spring flowers. Flowers appear atop leafy stems in May (St. Louis area). Native to moist woods in the northern U.S., Canada and Greenland. Kemper Center

Violet is the diminutive form of the Latin Viola, the Latin form of the Greek name Ione. There is a legend that when Jupiter changed his beloved Io into a white heifer for fear of Juno's jealousy, he caused these modest flowers to spring forth from the earth to be fitting food for her, and he gave them her name. Another derivation of the word Violet is said to be from Vias.

Some butterflies feed entirely on Violet, and the stem of the plant is often swelled and spongy in appearance, due to insects, whose eggs were deposited on the stalk during the preceding summer. The little animal, on hatching out, finds its food ready for it, and penetrating the plant, disturbs its juices and causes this excrescence.  Botanical.com

Growing and Maintenance Tips

V. labradorica can be found in moist open sites in Labrador and Ontario south to Maine. Prefers average to moist, well-drained soils in full to partial shade. Spreads by creeping rhizomes. Propagate by seed and divide every 2-3 years. Deadhead to prolong blooming season and promote a new flush of growth. Best used in the shady, naturalized or woodland garden as a groundcover or edge.