Bird's foot violet (Viola pedata) is a native wildflower in North America, particularly in the eastern United States. It is also commonly known as violet, foot violet, and pedate violet. The plant is named for its unique leaves, which are deeply divided into narrow, finger-like lobes that resemble the toes of a bird's foot.
Bird's Foot Violet's Growth
The plant produces a low, compact rosette of foliage, with individual leaves reaching up to 6 inches long. The plant sends up several stems in early spring, each topped with a single flower. The flowers are small, typically no more than 1 inch in diameter, and are a pale shade of blue or lavender. Depictive dark lines on the lower petals serve as a nectar guide for pollinators.
Planting Bird's Foot Violet
They are fragile and offer a beautiful carpet-like appearance wherever you plant them. They are easy to grow and are native perennials, thus meaning they are easy to thrive. It represents well-drained soil and partial shade and can be found in various habitats, including open woods, meadows, and prairies. It is a relatively long-lived perennial, with individual plants typically living for over 5-6 years. However, it readily self-seeds and can form large colonies over time. It is a food source for native pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
Benefits Of Bird's Foot Violet
They are a low-lying perennial that tends to clump together. They bloom from April to June and sometimes can bloom again in the fall. They grow wild and are also used as groundcovers by homeowners. They are great as groundcovers because they are spread by rhizomes, which stem under the ground and grow sideways; these rhizomes can send up new stems, which make new plants.
Bird's Foot Violet's Appearance
Bird's Foot Violet grows best in climate zones three through nine. The dainty flower leaves have a definite separation; petals range from pale to dark violet with an orange center. The flower appears relatively flat and is 1-1 ½ inches in circumference. They grow 3 to 4 inches tall and 6 inches wide on average.
The flower leaves are roughly ¾ to 2 inches long. The flower has five petals; often, all petals are the same color, ranging from light to dark violet, and turn white toward the center of the flower.
However, Bird's Foot Violet's upper two petals are sometimes dark violet, and the lower three are light blue or violet. They grow best in sunny to partially shaded areas. The soil tends to be dry; these flowers typically do well in sandy or slightly rocky soils.
