Selkirk’s Violet
(Viola selkirkii)
Selkirk’s Violet (Viola selkirkii)
/
/
Antti Bilund
CC BY-SA 3.0
Image By:
Antti Bilund
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 3.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Antti Bilund | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 | Uploader: AB | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Viola_selkirkii_flower_front_1_AB.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description=Vitellaria paradoxa (shea tree, karité), eastern Burkina Faso |Source=self-made |Date=2007 |Author= [[User:Marco Schmidt|Marco Schmidt]][http://www.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=1750&preview=true] |Permission=cc-by-sa 3 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Viola selkirkii, commonly known as Selkirk’s Violet, is a deciduous perennial herb that is native to cool, moist, deciduous forests and the edges of woodlands across North America, as well as temperate regions in Europe and Asia. It typically grows to a modest height of 4-6 inches (10-15 centimeters) with a similar spread. Selkirk’s Violet features hairy, heart-shaped leaves and produces charming violet flowers, up to 1.5 centimeters wide, that bloom from April to July. The flowers are distinguished by their lack of beards, which some other violet species possess, and they have a spur that can reach up to 7 millimeters long. The flowers are modestly showy and add a subtle beauty to woodland settings.
Selkirk’s Violet is valued for its low maintenance and ability to thrive in cool, shaded environments, making it an excellent ground cover for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalized areas. It prefers part shade but can tolerate full sun in cooler climates. This violet requires medium amounts of water and well-drained soils to flourish. While it is not commonly afflicted by diseases, it can suffer from root rot if planted in overly wet conditions. Gardeners should be aware that it can self-seed and spread, which is beneficial for creating a naturalized look but may require management in smaller spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0
Selkirk’s Violet is valued for its low maintenance and ability to thrive in cool, shaded environments, making it an excellent ground cover for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalized areas. It prefers part shade but can tolerate full sun in cooler climates. This violet requires medium amounts of water and well-drained soils to flourish. While it is not commonly afflicted by diseases, it can suffer from root rot if planted in overly wet conditions. Gardeners should be aware that it can self-seed and spread, which is beneficial for creating a naturalized look but may require management in smaller spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.5-0.8 feet
- Width: 0.313-0.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Native to cool, moist, deciduous forests and woodland edges in North America, Europe, and Asia
Other Names
Common Names: Great-Spur Violet, Kaiheorvokki, Violette De Selkirk, Dalfiol, Skuggviol, Dalviol, Selkirks Violet, Miyama-Sumire
Scientific Names: , Viola selkirkii, Viola selkirkii f. variegata, Viola umbrosa, Viola ulleungdoensis, Viola kamtschatica, Viola imberbis, Viola salina, Viola selkirkii f. subglabra, Viola borealis
GBIF Accepted Name: Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie