Native Violet

Native Violet (Viola hederacea) is the groundcover Australian gardeners reach for when nothing else will carpet a damp, shady corner. Just 15cm tall and spreading steadily by runners, it forms a soft mat of round green leaves topped almost year round with small white and purple flowers held on fine stems. It is a south eastern Australian native, pet friendly, and the flowers are edible, appearing on cakes as often as in gardens.

Why you'll love it

• It solves the hard spot. Moist shade under trees, the damp side of the house, around stepping stones: the places lawn dies are where native violet thrives.
• Flowers nearly all year. The little purple and white faces keep coming through every warm month, with bees and butterflies in attendance.
• Safe for everyone. Pet friendly, and the flowers are edible, a favourite for decorating desserts and salads.
• Fast, even cover. At 300mm spacing it knits into a continuous living mulch within a season, suppressing weeds as it goes.
• Takes light foot traffic. Between pavers and stepping stones it tolerates the occasional footfall a lawn substitute needs.

Where it works best

Groundcover under trees. Plant 300mm apart in the dry shade killers avoid; keep it watered its first summer and it takes over from there.

Borders, edging and paths. A neat green ribbon along shaded beds, spilling softly over edges without swallowing them.

Pots, baskets and green walls. In containers it trails gently over the rim and stays lush with regular water.

Mass planting. The 330mm tiles and multi-plant packs cover real areas quickly for an instant established look.

Growing Native Violet in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade to full shade is its sweet spot; morning sun is fine with moisture. It grows from the subtropics through warm and cool temperate zones, handles humidity and is fully frost hardy.

Soil. Moist and organic is ideal, and it is one of the few groundcovers that tolerates wet feet, so boggy patches and drainage lines suit it.

Water and feed. Keep it damp through the first summer while the runners take hold. Established mats need water only in dry spells in shade. A light feed of native friendly fertiliser in spring keeps the carpet dense.

Maintenance. Almost none. If it wanders past its bounds, slice the runners with a spade and lift the outliers; every piece replants.

What to expect when it arrives

Choose the format for the job: tubes for economical spot planting, 140mm pots in packs of 10 and 200mm in packs of 6 for beds and borders, or 330mm plant tiles, pre-grown mats that give finished coverage the day you lay them. Delivery is Australia wide, from $29.95,. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee. Water everything in well and keep moisture up for the first month; new runners appear quickly in warm weather.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More low maintenance groundcovers
• Browse all Australian native plants
• Plants safe for pets
• Plants for mass planting

Common questions

Will it take over my garden?

In moist shade it spreads indefinitely by runners, which is exactly what you want from a groundcover and worth knowing before you plant it beside a manicured bed. Hard edges, paths or a spade line keep it where you want it.

Can it replace a lawn?

In shaded areas with light foot traffic, yes, and it looks better than struggling grass ever will. It will not take daily games of backyard cricket.

Are the flowers really edible?

Yes. The flowers are edible and widely used to decorate cakes, desserts and salads. As with anything you eat from the garden, grow them spray free.

How quickly does it cover?

Planted at 300mm spacings in good conditions, expect a connected carpet within one growing season. The 330mm tiles are effectively instant.