Viola riviniana / Dog Violet

A mat-forming, spreading evergreen perennial with edible flowers, and is native to Ireland. 

- Small, unscented attractive purple flowers emerge in spring, usually from late February/March until April. Flowers are edible, and often used to decorate salads or as garnish on plates. Flowers can be deadheaded regularly to prolong flowering

- Dark green, mostly evergreen heart-shaped foliage makes a good ground cover in woodland areas or shaded rockeries. 

- Best suited to partial shade, and is often found growing as a ground cover under dappled shade of woodland trees, but will also tolerate full sun. Good at naturalising in an area if left to its own devices. 

- Spreads in a similar way to Strawberries, via stolons which root into the ground as they spread. This means it can spread to a wide area if allowed, but can also be controlled by removing unwanted plants. 

- Flowers are an important food source for pollinators due to its early flowering time. 

- Height and Spread approx. 10-20cm x 20-30cm+. 

- Supplied in a 9cm pot