Viola walteri 'Silver Gem' - Prostrate Blue Violet

A beautiful mat forming groundcover presenting silver-green foliage topped with dainty light purple flowers; thrives in shaded garden beds, borders or containers; drought tolerant once established

Height: Plant Height: 3 inches. Sun: full sun to partial shade. Hardiness zone: 4a.

Ornamental features

Silver Gem Pansy has masses of beautiful purple flowers at the ends of the stems from late spring to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its crinkled heart-shaped leaves remain green in color with distinctive dark green veins and tinges of silver throughout the season.

Landscape

Silver Gem Pansy is an herbaceous perennial with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and may require the occasional pruning to look its best. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Mass Planting, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Container Planting.

Planting and growing

Silver Gem Pansy will grow to be only 3 inches tall at maturity extending to 5 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 15 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 5 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and tends to be biennial, meaning that it puts on vegetative growth the first year, flowers the second, and then dies. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to dry locations, and dislikes excessive moisture. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.