With an easy-to-grow habit and bulletproof constitution, Viola striata (Striped cream violet) is one of our prefered filler plants for wooded areas. Native over the eastern half of the United States and Southeastern Canada, Viola striata can be found in mesic to moist woodland environments, including degraded woodlands and woodlots.
Viola striata progresses quickly through the season, starting out as a low clump. As the season progresses, the plants grow taller and taller, eventually topping out at around 12 to 18 inches tall, flowering into early summer if moisture is plentiful. The leaves are a deep forest green, and the flowers are a creamy white color, yielding a nice contrast in the landscape.
Even though the plants eventually stop blooming, they remain green through most of the summer in moist spots – While they can start to look ragged by the end of summer, the taller stems disappear in the fall giving way to neat, tidy rosettes of green foliage.
Viola striata Ecological Function and Landscape Uses
Ecological Function: Supporter
Attracting all manner of native solitary-nesting bees, including one specialist pollinator Andrena violae that only feeds on violets, Viola striata is a classic example of a supporter in ecological landscaping. Viola striata is a host plant for Fritillary butterflies as well several other moth species, providing caterpillars for nesting birds.
Landscape Function: Filler
Though Viola striata is a clump forming violet, it spreads quickly and readily by seed – In our landscaping, any blank soil in the woodland areas quickly fills in with Viola striata. Unlike common violets that tend to take over lawns (Not a problem, by the way!), Viola striata is a stemmed violet and grows upright in 12 to 18 inch tall clumps.
Cultivation: How to Grow Viola striata
Carefree and easy-to-grow, Viola striata performs best in a mesic woodland environment. With sufficient soil moisture, the plants can take morning sun and will be more floriferous, but the foliage tends to wilt in hot, direct afternoon sunlight. Clay soils aren’t a problem, so long as the soil isn’t overly compacted.
Plant Viola striata as plugs in Spring, spacing 12 inches apart for a continuous drift. For best effect, I would recommend planting at least 7 plants in a drift. With a drift of plants, you’ll have enough seedlings to fill in the rest of your yard if you so desire! These are easily moved in early spring as soon as the new leaves show up, and with a little attentive watering as necessary through the first year, they will fill in completely by the following spring.
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Viola striata attributes
| Common Name: | Striped Cream Violet |
| Botanical Name: | Viola striata |
| USDA Hardiness Zones: | 4-7 |
| Height: | 12-18 in. |
| Spread: | 12-18 in. |
| Spacing: | 12 in. |
| Growth Rate: | Vigorous |
| Flower Color: | Creamy White with Silver Striations |
| Bloom Season: | Mid to Late Spring |
| Foliar Texture: | Medium |
| Habit: | Spreading |
| Light Exposure: | Part to Full Shade; Deciduous Forest |
| Soil Moisture: | Moist to Average |
| Soil Texture: | Clay Loam to Sandy Loam |
| Soil PH: | Neutral to Slightly Acidic |
| Landscape Role: | Filler |
| Ecological Function: | Supporter (Pollinators, Lepidoptera) |
| Other Benefits: | Clay Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant |