Stream Violet (Viola glabella)

Stream violet is an early-blooming perennial that brightens up the forest floor with cheerful, yellow flowers and heart-shaped leaves. It thrives in cool, moist environments with dappled shade and plenty of organic matter, and spreads by seeds and rhizomes to form a lovely low-growing groundcover. The flowers provide an early-season nectar source for numerous bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Stream violet is perfect for shaded woodland gardens, rain gardens, riparian areas, and can also be grown in containers.

Sun Exposure: Full shade, part shade
Soil & Moisture: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil
Mature Size: Up to 1' tall, spreads by rhizomes
Bloom Time: Early spring, sometimes blooming again in summer
Edible: No
Wildlife Value: Early-season nectar source. Attracts beneficial insects and polllinators such as bees and butterflies. Butterfly host plant. Browsed by deer.
Native Range & Habitat: Moist woodlands and streambanks from low to middle elevations. Native to western North America from Alaska south to California, and east to Alberta and Montana.
Other Names: Streambank violet, pioneer violet, yellow wood violet