Viola striata aka Striped Violet

Viola striata is a perennial wildflower in the violet family. Its common names include pale violet, cream violet, and striped violet. Its native range spans southeastern Canada and the north-central and eastern United States. It grows in damp woods, meadows, valleys, and stream banks. In Missouri, it occurs in the Ozarks. The name striata refers to the lines on its petals.

Plants grow about 0.5–1 foot (0.15–0.3 metres) tall in gardens. NC State gives an upper height of 1.3 feet (0.4 metres). The usual spread reaches about 1 foot (0.3 metres). Smooth, pale green stems bear leaves above the ground. Some stems sprawl to 3 feet (0.9 metres) long. The dark green leaves have a heart shape and rounded teeth. They grow alternately along the stems, rather than forming tight rosettes. Deeply cut stipules sit beside the leaves. Together, the stems and leaves form a dense ground cover.

The cream-white flowers have purple lines on the lower petal. Rounded petals frame the flower's throat. Two side petals bear patches of fine white hairs. Flowers rise from the joints between leaves and stems. Bloom runs from spring into early summer, with timing varying by place. Missouri Botanical Garden lists April through June for St. Louis. NC State records flowers from March through June in North Carolina. Small oval seedpods turn brown or tan as they ripen. Each pod splits into three sections and throws out seeds. North Carolina plants bear fruit from April through July.

Grow this violet in partial shade or light filtered through trees. It prefers moist, humus-rich soil that drains well. It also accepts sites that become wet at times. Clay, loam, and sand can all suit it. A neutral to slightly alkaline soil suits its needs best. Both garden sources place it in USDA zones 4–7. They describe it as easy to grow. Seeds provide a way to raise new plants.

Use it in woodland, native plant, shade, or rain gardens. Grouped plants can cover ground in loose, natural plantings. Flowers feed bees, skippers, and butterflies with nectar. Fritillary caterpillars feed on the plant. Birds and small mammals eat its seeds. Deer resistance adds to its garden value. It spreads by seed, not runners, and can form small colonies. Heavy self-seeding may cause trouble in formal beds. NC State says it does not invade lawns. Missouri Botanical Garden reports no major pest or disease concerns. NC State also lists southern blight as a possible disease.