Striped Cream Violet - Viola striata

Phonetic: vy-OH-la stree-AH-tuh

Striped cream violet, is a perennial wildflower native to eastern North America. It thrives in partial to full shade and prefers rich, loamy soils that remain consistently moist but well-drained. 

Striped cream violet typically blooms in mid- to late spring, from April through June, depending on regional climate. Its delicate, pale cream to white flowers are distinguished by fine purple veins on the lower petals, which act as nectar guides for visiting pollinators. After blooming, the plant produces small, green seed capsules that mature in early summer. These capsules eventually split open to release tiny seeds, which are often dispersed by ants through a process known as myrmecochory.

Ecologically, Stripped cream violet plays an important role. Its early-season blooms provide nectar and pollen for native bees, small butterflies, and other spring pollinators emerging from dormancy. It is also a host plant for a variety of  fritillary butterfly species, whose larvae feed on violet leaves as a primary food source.

• Hardiness Zone: 4-7
• Native Region: BONAP Map
• BONAP Map Key Color Guide: Map Color Key
• Sun Exposure: Shade, Part Shade
• Flower Color: White
• Bloom Time: May, June
• Soil Type: Medium Dry, Medium, Moist
• Mature Plant Size: 0.6-1.6'H, 0.6-1'W
• Plant Spacing: 1'
• Host Plant: Great Spangled Fritillary, Silver-bordered Fritillary, Variegated Fritillary
• Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, 
• Advantages: Deer Resistant, Poor Soil Tolerant 
• Landscape Uses: Ground Cover, Shade Garden, 
• Companion Plants: Maidenhair Fern, Foam Flower, Virginia Bluebells