Viola labradorica aka American Dog Violet

Viola labradorica is also known as Labrador violet. It belongs to the violet family. This low plant lives for more than one year. It comes from North America, including Greenland. Its range spans subarctic lands. It also grows in the central and eastern United States. It grows in woods and grassy places in temperate climates. Its native sites include moist woods. In gardens, it creeps along the ground to form cover.

Missouri Botanical Garden gives its height as about 0.08–0.25 feet [0.025–0.076 metres]. Other garden records give heights near 0.5 feet [0.15 metres]. The listed spread is also about 0.5 feet [0.15 metres]. Creeping stems let a patch grow beyond that width. The small leaves have a heart shape and purple tint. Each leaf can reach about one inch across. Both leaves and flowers add color close to the ground.

The flowers range from lavender-blue to purple. They rise above the leaves on stems that bear leaves. Missouri Botanical Garden notes blooms in May around St. Louis. Chicago Botanic Garden gives May through June as bloom time. The blooms draw butterflies. Deer tend to leave the plants alone. Its low growth suits small patches of ground cover. Gardeners use it between stepping stones and in rock gardens. It fits beneath taller plants and in native plant gardens. In areas left to grow wild, its creeping stems have room to spread.

This violet grows in full sun or part shade. Plants For A Future also lists woodland edges. It lists shade with patches of light, but not deep shade. It grows well in average soil that drains well. The soil should stay moist, but not too wet. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA hardiness zones 3–8. Missouri Botanical Garden says it is easy to grow. It needs little care and has no serious pest or disease problems. Yet creeping stems and self-sown seed can spread with force. Plants For A Future notes that patches take time to fill out. You may need to weed during the first year or so. Grow more plants from seeds or by splitting clumps.

Plants For A Future lists young leaves and flower buds as edible. You can eat them raw or cooked. They have a mild taste. Older leaves grow tough, so young growth suits salads better. Leaves can also thicken soup or serve as tea. The same source reports no known hazards for this species. It lists no known uses as medicine. It also describes using the plant in mulch. This returns stored nutrients to the soil.