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Western Canada White Violet
Viola rugulosa
Height: 15 inches
Spacing: 12 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 3a
Other Names: Canadian Violet, Rydberg's Violet
Description:
This exceptional native variety features pointy, heart shaped leaves with coarse, rounded teeth; white flowers with yellow centers and purple veins appear from summer to fall; great for woodland gardens, wildflower gardens, or naturalized areas
Ornamental Features
Western Canada White Violet features dainty fragrant white orchid-like flowers with shell pink overtones, yellow throats and deep purple veins at the ends of the stems from mid spring to early summer. Its serrated heart-shaped leaves remain forest green in colour throughout the season.
Landscape Attributes
Western Canada White Violet is an herbaceous perennial with a mounded form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Western Canada White Violet is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Planting & Growing
Western Canada White Violet will grow to be about 15 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 3 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by division.
Western Canada White Violet is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.