Bird's Foot Violet; Crowfoot (Viola pedata)

Hardy, spring-flowering, North American perennial
Description: Brightly colored, five-petaled flowers—the upper 2 petals are deep violet and the lower 3 pale lavender. This plant has many natural variations in petal color including pale purple, violet, white and bi-colored.
Habit: Grows to 6 inches high
Culture: Prefers full to filtered sunlight and dry, rocky or sandy soil
Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zones 4 through 8
Origin: Eastern North America
Attributes: Attracts butterflies; Deer resistant; Drought tolerant

This shy, solitary violet is found in the barren soils of upland woods and dry, sunny clearings throughout much of the Eastern United States. Plants were first sent to Europe during the 1750s and named by Linnaeus. Eighteenth-century Virginia gardener Jean Skipwith was likely referring to this charming species as the “cut-leaved” wild violet “with a pansy flower” that she grew among her sweet-scented violets at Prestwould. J. E. Teschemacher, writing in the Horticultural Register (1835), recommended Viola pedata for rock gardens.

Bird's Foot Violet; Crowfoot (Viola pedata) arrives in a 2.5" pot.