Native Violets: Swooning Over the Perfect Ground Cover

The Australian native violet is a highly favoured ground cover regardless of your chosen garden style. Featuring shiny green foliage and delicate flowers, this plant is a great choice for shady areas, such as spots shaded by trees and in under plantings.

What's more, native violets are fast-growing, versatile plants that can be planted in pots or placed in hanging baskets. You can expect for this plant to create long-lasting spectacle too, since its flowers bloom almost year-round. Native violets' most impressive display are during the warmer months of the year.

How to Plant Viola Hederacea (Native Violet)?

When planting Australian native violet, especially for ground cover, consider its basic requirements for optimal growth and beauty. Check out more essential planting tips here:

• Picking the right location is key since native violets prefer shaded or partly shaded areas with protection from direct afternoon sun. They can be exposed to morning sun, though. In general, native violets won't do well in full sun.
• Prepping the soil to use is next. Ideally, plant in moist soil that's also well-drained and enriched with organic matter.
• When planting multiple native violets, space plants about 30 cm apart for dense ground cover.
• Water well after planting and continue to keep the soil moist (but not waterlogged), very crucial especially during the establishment phase.

Why Should You Buy Viola Hederacea (Native Violet)?

Viola hederacea is great as groundcover and can also serve as a lawn substitute (preferably in low-traffic areas). Here are more reasons why native violets are worthwhile adding to your outdoor garden:

• Inviting Ground Cover: Its low-growing green foliage and delicate purple and white flowers bring visual interest to any landscape.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care and is drought-tolerant, a great choice for those who want to turn their outdoor space into low-maintenance gardens.
• Local Wildlife Support: Australian native plants like this one supports local wildlife, including native insects and small animals. Plus, using native species also help with sustainable landscaping.
• Versatility: Native violets are super versatile that they're suited for various garden styles. Whether used as borders, container plantings, as well as a living mulch in a garden bed, they'll just fit right in.

How to Care for Viola Hederacea (Native Violet)?

With proper care and maintenance, Native Violet will thrive and offer enduring beauty in your garden. Here’s how to maintain these native shrubs:

• Water regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during dry periods. Native violets can tolerate some drought once established but do best with consistent moisture.
• Add a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
• Native violets are a low-demand plant and will continue to flourish even with minimal fertilising. But for optimal growth, a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring will maintain your plant's beauty and vigour.
• In general, native violets don't really need much pruning maintenance, except when it has obviously become necessary. If your plant begins to look jagged, lightly trim back the plant in spring to remove any damaged leaves and encourage fresh growth.

Things to Consider When Growing Native Violets

There are some things to consider when growing native violets, including its potential growth and spread. While they're excellent ground cover, they can spread quickly and potentially overtake nearby plants if not contained.

Unlike many other plant variety, native violets don't like full sun. Instead, they thrive in partial shade, which is why they're great plants for shaded garden areas. In terms of watering, it's important to keep your plant's soil moist.

Lastly, this plant prefers cool to warm temperate climates, which is why it tolerates light frost. It may struggle to thrive in very dry and hot conditions. In warmer regions, place them in well-shaded spots and maintain regular watering to protect them from heat stress.

Treating Native Violets for Pests and Diseases

Native violets are generally pest-resistant, but they may attract aphids or slugs in humid conditions. Regularly check for pests and treat with natural solutions if needed. To prevent fungal issues especially in areas with high humidity, ensure good air circulation and proper drainage.

Where Can I Buy Viola Hederacea (Native Violet)?

Make your outdoor space irresistible with native violets. Visit Local Botanist to purchase yours today! For inquiries or assistance, feel free to contact us.

We also offer gardening inspiration to help you achieve your dream garden. Better yet, take our Garden Quiz to find out which gardening style is best for your space.

Companion Plants for Australian Native Violet

The Australian native violet will thrive with many other selections planted alongside it. Here are our recommendations:

• Silver Lady Fern: Ferns such as the silver lady fern create a lush, woodland effect that pairs beautifully with native violets.
• Wynyabbie Gem: This flowering shrub is also an Australian native, which also features year-round mauve flowers.
• Zoysia Tenuifolia: This low maintenance grass and its fine foliage contrasts nicely with the dense violet ground cover.
• Dichondra repens: Pairing native violet with other ground covers like Dichondra repens or Kidney weed creates a mixed carpet effect.