Viola mandshurica aka Manchuria Violet

Viola mandshurica, or Manchurian violet, belongs to the violet family, Violaceae. This perennial comes from temperate parts of eastern Asia. Kew places its native range from the Russian Far East to China and Japan. Plants For A Future also lists Korea and Taiwan. In Japan, it grows in grassland and fields. These sites occur on both low ground and hills. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This small plant reaches about 0.7 feet [0.2 metres] tall. It flowers from April to May. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers, and seeds ripen from May to September. Its low height suits the front of a planting. The supplied species evidence gives no details about leaf shape or flower colour. It also gives no mature spread, so allow space based on local growth.

Choose a cool site with moist soil that drains well. The plant favours soil rich in humus and some shade. Partial or dappled shade fits its stated growing preference. It can also grow without shade, according to Plants For A Future. Give it shelter from hot, drying winds. Sandy soil, loam and clay can all support growth. Mildly acid to neutral soil is suitable. Its preferred pH lies between 6 and 6.5. Excess alkalinity can cause chlorosis, even though it tolerates limestone soils. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 7–10 and describes it as frost hardy.

Young leaves and flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked. They can also help thicken soups. The leaves provide material for tea, and the roots are eaten cooked. Plants For A Future gives its food value three out of five. That source lists no known hazards, but this is not a full safety assessment. It reports no medicinal uses or other uses. Its weed assessment does not flag the species as weedy.

Raise plants from seed or divide established plants. Sow fresh seed in autumn in a cold frame. Sow stored seed there in early spring. Move seedlings into separate pots once they can be handled. Plant them out in summer. Divide plants in autumn or just after flowering. Large divisions can go straight into their final sites. Keep small divisions in pots under light shade until established.