Viola canina aka Heath Dog Violet

Viola canina is a perennial in the violet family, Violaceae. Common names include dog violet, heath violet, and heath dog violet. Its native range spans Europe to Mongolia and includes Morocco. The RHS records it as native to Britain and Ireland. It grows in temperate regions and returns from year to year. Plants For A Future gives a height of about 1.3 feet (0.4 metres).

Wild habitats include heaths, dry grasslands, dunes, and fens. These sites show a wide range of growing conditions. In gardens, it prefers cool, moist soil that drains well. Add humus and choose partial or dappled shade. Plants For A Future also lists it as able to grow in sun. Shelter from hot, drying winds suits its stated needs. Sandy, loamy, and clay soils can all support it. It tolerates sandstone and limestone soils, but high pH can cause chlorosis. Its preferred pH falls between 6 and 6.5. The same source gives USDA hardiness zones 5–9 and describes it as frost hardy.

Plants For A Future places flowering in July and August. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The source lists meadow planting as a garden use. Its low height makes it a small part of such planting. The supplied species records do not describe leaf shape or flower colour. They also give no details of its fruit. No named pest or disease appears in the supplied evidence.

Young leaves and flower buds have recorded food uses. They may be eaten raw or cooked. They can also thicken soups, and the leaves can make tea. Plants For A Future gives its food value three out of five. It lists no known hazards, but also reports strong laxative and vomiting effects from leaves and flowers. These reports call for caution rather than a blanket claim of safety. Historical use for skin complaints is recorded, not proof of an effective treatment.

Propagation is by seed or division. Sow fresh seed in autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed can be sown there in early spring. Move seedlings into separate pots once large enough to handle. Plant them out in summer. Divide plants in autumn or after flowering. Large divisions can go straight into their final sites. Grow small divisions in pots under light shade until established.