Viola sempervirens

Common Names

Evergreen Violet, Redwood Violet

Summary

Evergreen Violet, also called Redwood Violet, is a creeping, evergreen violet native to the West Coast of the United States and British Columbia. It forms a low, spreading ground cover about 2 to 6 inches tall, with leathery cordate leaves about 1 inch long that may bear purplish blotches. Bright lemon-yellow flowers with purplish streaks on the lower petals appear in winter to spring, and the plant grows in moist woods from low to mid elevations west of the Cascades crest into the Columbia River Gorge, ranging from British Columbia to California. In cultivation, it tolerates partial shade to sun and moist, well-drained soils, and is used as ground cover or lawn alternative in shade gardens, offering evergreen foliage and winter interest. Propagation is by seed or division, and the plant attracts pollinators such as butterflies and honey bees; it is not of conservation concern.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

10 inches

Spread

12 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Partial Shade, tolerates Partial Sun to Full Shade

Soil Type

Moist, humus-rich, well-drained loamy soil with organic matter and a slightly acidic to neutral pH.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

6.0-6.5, Slightly acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green (evergreen, no fall color change)

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies, honey bees and other pollinators