Viola pubescens

Common Names

Downy Yellow Violet, Yellow Violet, Hairy Yellow Violet, Downy Violet, Smooth Yellow Violet, Common Yellow Violet, Yellow Forest Violet

Summary

Viola pubescens, commonly called Downy Yellow Violet, is a caulescent perennial in the Violaceae native to eastern North America, growing from a thick rhizome with one to several erect stems 10–45 cm tall, leaves are heart-shaped, alternately arranged, and often densely pubescent; stems and foliage are hairy, the bright yellow flowers are bilaterally symmetric with purple veining toward the throat, the lateral petals are bearded, and a short spur is present; the fruit is a capsule, flowers may be chasmogamous or cleistogamous, a distinctive downy habit giving the plant its common name, for cultivation, it prefers part shade to shade in well-drained soils that are moderately dry to dry and slightly acidic to neutral, it tolerates drought and declines in waterlogged conditions, it spreads by seed and self-seeds readily but does not spread aggressively, and it can be used as groundcover in native or woodland plantings, it is deer resistant and attractive to butterflies and bees, serving as a larval host for fritillary butterflies, propagation is possible by seed or division, and it can be grown in borders, woodland gardens, or naturalized areas

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-12 inches

Spread

6-12 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade; tolerates partial shade to full shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained, loamy soil with moisture retention and organic matter, pH slightly acidic to neutral

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils, moist but not waterlogged, tolerates occasional dryness

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral pH

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, flies, and seed-eating birds