New England Blue Violet

Viola novae-angliae

Native to:
Canada, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Violaceae
Genus:
Viola
Species:
Viola novae-angliae
USDA Symbol:
VINO

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
15 cm
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
violet, purple

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

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)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite), Atlantis fritillary (Speyeria atlantis), Clossiana epithore, ⚠️Diana fritillary (Speyeria diana), Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele), Meadow Fritillary (Clossiana bellona), Mormon fritillary (Speyeria mormonia), nokomis fritillary (Speyeria nokomis), 🛑Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia), ⚠️Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Clossiana selene)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies, fritillary caterpillars
Deer Resistant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers habitats with organic matter

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Seeds require light for germination; sow on surface. Germination can be erratic.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).

Source: Claude AI