Early Blue Violet

Viola adunca

Violaceae

• Spokane Native
• Full sun to part shade
• Mature Size: 3–8" tall x 6–8" wide, spreading slowly by rhizome and seed
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate; adaptable to both drier gravelly sites and moist meadows
• Flower: Violet-blue to deep purple with a white throat (March–June)
• Wildlife Benefits: Larval host plant of the Oregon silverspot butterfly, Zerene and other fritillaries; nectar source for the Mardon skipper 

Early blue violet is common across nearly every county in the Pacific Northwest, growing in meadows, forest edges, and damp streambanks at a wide range of elevations. It is a poor competitor against aggressive non-native grasses and thatch buildup, so it does best in open ground with reduced competition; periodic disturbance or fire has been shown to stimulate its germination in restoration settings.

Small, heart-shaped, dark green leaves, sometimes curling into neat little cups, form tidy low clumps from slender spreading rhizomes. In early spring, fragrant violet-blue to deep purple flowers with a white throat and a distinctive hooked spur (the source of the species name adunca, "hooked") grow just above the foliage.

This is a conservation keystone plant: it is the sole known larval host of the Oregon silverspot butterfly, and also hosts Zerene fritillary and other fritillary species, several of which are rare. Its early blooms are also an important nectar source for the Mardon skipper, a Washington state endangered species. 

A wonderful addition to native pollinator gardens, meadow plantings, and woodland edges, especially for supporting butterfly conservation — for best results a generous, dense patch works better than a few scattered plants. Works well at the front of a bed, along pathways, or woven through a wildflower meadow.