Viola riviniana
Woodviolet, Dog violet, Labrador violet
- Height × spread
- 0.15m – 0.25m × 0.2m – 0.2m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The wood violets are small, dainty though tough, herbaceous plants. They are found growing wild over much of Europe, including Iceland and North Africa, Madeira and Greece. They have rounded leaves and produce their small flowers in shades of white, purple and blue from spring to early summer.
- Flower colour
- Pink, Purple, Violet
- Foliage colour
- Green, Purple
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.15m – 0.25m
- Spread
- 0.2m – 0.2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Shady court, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune after flowering
When the plant has finished flowering, cut the trailing stems back by half their length or more to retain a compact and appealing habit.
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.