Dog Violet (Viola adunca) is a hairy, compact plant with nodding purple flowers blooming from spring through summer. With dark green heart-shaped fragrant leaves spreading via rhizomes (horizontal underground stems), Dog Violet makes a low mat that covers the ground.
Dog Violet grows in shade or part sun, prefers well-drained soil and needs watering year round. Dog Violet hosts moths and butterflies. Native to meadows and forests, Dog Violet makes a great mat groundcover for woodland and meadow gardens.