Viola walteri 'Silver Gem' - WALTER'S VIOLET 'SILVER GEM'

Mt. Cuba's selection of southern and southeastern native. Tough, drought tolerant gem for half shade or shade garden.

Small ground covering or filling plant with silvery leaves and purple flowers.

Deciduous in cooler areas.

Blooming time : spring/early summer

Size : 3-5” tall x 10-15" wide, more dense mats are formed with more moisture. In dry conditions gets more loose.

USDA zones : 6 to 8

Culture : best in half shade and dappled shade. Tolerates full shade. Average soil with average moisture (medium) - amended with some compost, leaf compost and mulch with organic debris (leaves, shredded leaves or little bit of bark mulch). Adaptable (slightly acidic, alkaline, average). Avoid waterlogged soils. Tolerant to heat and humidity. Suitable even for the Deep South gardens.

Moisture Needs : average - medium to medium-moist

Origin : Introduced by Mt. Cuba Center in 2010, selected from more silvery seedling variant from a collection from Bibb County, AL (2003). The species of Viola walteri is native to AL , AR , FL , GA , KY , LA , MS , NC , OH , SC , TN , TX , VA, where can be found in deciduous woods, preferably on somewhat moist soils.

Deer/rabbit resistant : yes / yes

Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators : yes/ yes

Attracts Hummingbirds : no

Pot Size : square 3.5" x 4" perennial pot

Pictures copyright : North Creek Nursery

Plant combinations : Great plant for shade or half shade garden, woodland garden, underplanting bigger shrubs and trees. Also good for shaded parts of rock, crevice gardens or big containers.
Looks the best if combined with grassy-leaves of Carex (sedges), Deschampsia, Hakonechloa, or Tradescantia, narrow-leaved Hosta or Liriope (where not invasive). Other good companions can be Dicentra, Epimedium, Hosta, Heuchera, Phlox divaricata, Primula, Polygonatum etc. and native spring ephemerals (Jeffersonia, Sanquinaria, Trillium, etc) and pretty much any smaller to medium-sized shade loving or shade tolerant perennials.