Native to eastern and central North America, Viola sororia (Common Blue Violet) is a stemless, low-growing perennial with glossy, heart-shaped leaves topped with attractive, large blue-violet flowers with conspicuous white throats. Each flower sits atop its own leafless stalk. In addition to the normal flowers, there are often flowers near the ground that fail to open, but their fruit produces vast quantities of seeds. Blooming in mid-spring and sometimes intermittently into late summer, this Violet is so pretty that it is the state flower of Illinois, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Wisconsin!

• Easily growing up to 6-10 in. tall and wide (15-25 cm), this Violet will freely self-seed and happily multiply in satisfactory growing conditions.
• Performs best in light shade or part shade in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates full sun if there is sufficient moisture. Prefers humus-rich, moisture-retentive soils. Clay soil tolerant.
• This plant is very versatile and can be used in beds, borders, coastal gardens, cottage gardens, rock gardens, woodland gardens, containers, or as ground covers. Violet leaves are high in vitamins A and C and can be used in salads or cooked as greens. The flowers can be made into candies and jellies.
• Watch for slugs, snails, aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, violet gall midge, powdery mildew and pansy leaf spot
• Deer resistant
• Deadhead to prolong flowering unless seed is required