Common dog violet

Viola riviniana

Low-growing native woodland violet with unscented blue-violet flowers in early spring. The most widespread larval host for fritillary butterflies.

Hardiness ratings

Common dog violet hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 3–8 −40 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 3–8 −34 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–5 −15 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Larval food plant for fritillary butterflies — the silver-washed, dark green and pearl-bordered fritillaries all depend on Viola species
  • Flowers in earliest spring in deciduous woodland
  • Excellent ground cover under shrubs and trees, spreads gently by seed
  • Distinguish from sweet violet (V. odorata) by the lack of scent

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Common dog violet against your zones

Reference

Common dog violet on Wikipedia