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FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Viola sororia is a low rosette-forming wildflower with toothed heart shaped foliage. From spring until early summer plants are graced by a sprinkling of diminutive blue or white violets. This groundcover thrives in lightly shaded sites with moist well drained soils.

HABITAT & HARDINESS: Viola sororia is native to eastern and central North America from Quebec to Florida and west to Saskatchewan and Texas.

Plants are indigenous to moist Blackland prairies, savannas, open woods, shaded banks and borders of rivers, lakes and creeks. This species also occurs in moist disturbed waste areas, urban right of ways, lawns and landscapes.

This species is hardy in USDA Zones 3-7.

PLANT DESCRIPTION:  Viola sororia is a low growing perennial with leaves and flowers that emerge directly from underground rhizomes.

Leaf blades are yellowish-green to dark green and 2-3” long. Blades vary from oval or rounded to heart-shaped and from smooth to pubescent. Leaves have long petioles and rounded teeth on the edges.

In mid-spring, leafless stems rise slightly above the foliage bearing 1” blue-violet or white blooms. Flowers have 5 spreading petals. The side petals have tufts of white hair toward the base. The lower petal is marked with dark purplish veins.

In late summer inconspicuous cleistogamous flowers form at the base. Seed mature inside the self-pollinated closed flowers and are released on or near the soil surface. Each seed has an elaiosome that attracts ants. The ants transport the seed to their mounds and feed on the nutritious elaiosome before discarding and consequently distributing the seed.

This violet is 4-6” tall with an equal spread.

CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Viola striata is well-suited for shaded to partially shaded environments, thriving in woodland settings and beneath the dappled light of trees. This perennial prefers moist, well-drained soils and is often found along stream banks and in rich, deciduous woodlands. To cultivate Cream Violet successfully, gardeners should provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and ensure the soil remains well-drained. While it tolerates various soil types, including loam and clay, a slightly acidic to neutral pH is preferred.

Maintenance for Viola striata is minimal, with occasional watering and the removal of spent flowers to encourage additional blooms. This woodland gem readily self-seeds, contributing to its naturalizing tendencies in suitable habitats. With its dainty appearance and adaptability to shaded conditions, Cream Violet is an excellent choice for native plant enthusiasts seeking to enhance the biodiversity of woodland gardens.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Butterfly Garden; Edible Garden; Fragrance Garden; Living/Green Mulch; Mass/Group Planting; Native Plant Garden; Naturalizing; Shade Garden; Restoration/Conservation; There are many uses for this little violet including woodlad gardens, native plant gardens, rock gardens, groundcovers, rain garden, container gardens, deer-resistant gardens, cottage gardens, as a nice compliment to spring bulbs, butterfly gardens.

COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS: Try pairing Cream Violet with Tiarella cordifolia; Tiarella cordifolia wherryi; Heuchera villosa; Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’; Viola soraria is a suitable substitute.