Prostrate Silver Violet
Viola walteri 'Silver Gem'
Silver-veined leaves form a nearly evergreen carpet in moist shade. Early violet flowers feed emerging bees and host fritillary butterflies.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Aug 138 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Aug 148 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Aug 158 AM – 2 PM
The most ornamental native groundcover violet we carry. that silver-mottled foliage creates year-round texture in shade gardens where most groundcovers look flat.
'Silver Gem' is a low groundcover violet with striking silver-veined leaves that catch the light in a shaded garden in a way that makes you stop and look twice. The foliage is the real feature here: deeply mottled and patterned in silvery gray and green, it creates a textured carpet that reads as ornamental all season long. Small pale violet flowers in early spring feed emerging native bees and are host flowers for several fritillary butterflies. It stays nearly evergreen in mild winters and spreads gradually to fill in under trees and shrubs where little else will grow. A refined groundcover alternative for moist shade situations where you want something with genuine ornamental presence.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown prostrate silver violet propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
Plant prostrate silver violet instead of English ivy (Hedera helix), Japanese pachysandra. Same job in the garden, without the spread.
- Sun
- Part shade
- Water
- Average
- Mature size
- 3–6 in · 12–18 in wide
- Bloom time
- Early spring
- Bloom color
- Purple
- USDA zones
- 5–9
- Family
- Violaceae
- Native range
- Southeastern United States
Care notes for prostrate silver violet.
Part shade to full shade in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Allow to spread naturally as groundcover. Evergreen in mild winters; cut back if winter damage occurs. No fertilizing needed in good woodland soil. Divide clumps every few years if desired. No serious pests in appropriate conditions.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside prostrate silver violet.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Short on Space Package
For gardeners who have an abundance of passion but are short on space, this package features tidy, upright, clump-forming natives that behave and function well in small spaces.
Shade Bed Package
Ferns, sedges, and woodland natives that thrive under existing trees.
Birder’s Paradise Package
For the avid bird watchers and budding ornithologists in our community, the Birder’s Paradise Package consists of species that Hill House Nursery staff and longtime native plant advocates such as Doug Tallamy consider ‘premier bird garden plants’.