Dog Violet

Viola canina

Native to:
Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Krym, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Spain, Svalbard, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Violaceae
Genus:
Viola
Species:
Viola canina
USDA Symbol:
VICA22

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
15 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
blue, violet
Ground Cover:
Yes

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
★★★★★ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
butterflies, bees

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, well-drained, sandy loam
pH:
4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
Drainage:
good drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers open woodland and heathland conditions

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Seeds require cold stratification for 4-8 weeks to break dormancy.