Prostrate Blue Violet
Viola walteri
- Native to:
- United States
Mason Brock ( Masebrock (en.wikipedia.org) )
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Violaceae
- Genus:
- Viola
- Species:
- Viola walteri
- USDA Symbol:
- VIWA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 15 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- pale violet, purple, white
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
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
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees, birds
- 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 woodland or shaded areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification and may germinate erratically. Light may improve germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Tip cuttings, 5-7.6 cm in length, with multiple nodes of short intervals, 2-4 sets of leaves removed from base. Rooting hormone Dip 'n Grow IBA/NA at 20X dilution rate (1% Indole-3-butyric Acid; 0.5% 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid), 5 second dip. Cuttings stuck 2-3 per cell in 50 short plug tray 7.6 x 7.6 cm. Media: 2 parts Pro-Mix PGX, plug and germination media; 1 part coarse vermiculite (A4). Drenched with Essential Plus, biological root stimulant, immediately after sticking and at a 10 day interval. Neptunes Fish Emulsion applied at the recommended rate at signs of rooting.
Establishment: Cuttings collected December through May from greenhouse stock plants, flowering and non-flowing stems. 100% rooting obtained for cuttings taken between December and March. Native to North America, specifically to the southeastern United States.
Source: npn.rngr.net