Viola cucullata (Marsh Blue Violet)
Marsh Blue Violet, Blue Marsh Violet, Thin Leaf Wood Violet, Viola cucullata var. microtitis, Viola obliqua
Native to North America, Viola cucullata (Marsh Blue Violet) is a stemless, low-growing perennial forming a neat basal rosette of kidney-shaped, toothed, mid-green leaves, 2 in. long (5 cm). Attractive, flat-faced, blue-violet flowers, about 1 in. across (2.5 cm), with conspicuous white throats, appear from mid-spring to early summer. Their lateral petals display small club-shaped beards. Their lower spurred petal is beardless but adorned with radiating purple veins. The flowers are long-stalked and rise above the foliage. Their floral nectar attracts bees and bumblebees. The caterpillars of several Fritillary butterflies feed on the foliage primarily in open areas. The seeds are occasionally eaten by birds, including the Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, and Mourning Dove. This perennial wildflower prefers moist to wet soils in prairies, fields, streams, and pond edges. It is well-suited to woodland, banks, along ponds and streams, or wild gardens where it spreads by self-seeding and creeping rhizomes. The young leaves are rich in vitamins A and C and can be used in salads.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
- Growing up to 4-6 in. tall (10-15 cm), this Violet will spread by self-seeding and creeping rhizomes.
- A full sun to part shade lover, it is best grown in average, moist to wet, well-drained soils. Marsh Blue Violet can thrive in both sun and shade as long as the site is moist.
- This plant is very versatile and can be used on banks and slopes, underplanting shrubs and roses, cottage gardens, prairies and meadows, bog gardens, woodland gardens, or as a ground cover.
- Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, violet gall midge, powdery mildew, and pansy leaf spot.
- Propagate by seed.
- Native to North America, from Minnesota south to Arkansas and Mississippi, east to all of New England, and south to Georgia. It is also known from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Labrador, and Newfoundland.
Not sure which Viola - Violets to pick?
Compare All Viola - Violets
Buy Viola cucullata (Marsh Blue Violet)
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 7
– 9 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Viola - Violets |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 4" – 6" (10cm – 15cm) |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Bog Gardens, Ground Covers, Ponds and Streams, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
By Gerry Bishop, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 7
– 9 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Viola - Violets |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 4" – 6" (10cm – 15cm) |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Bog Gardens, Ground Covers, Ponds and Streams, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |