Growth habit: Low-growing perennial

Height: 10 - 20 cm

Spread: 10 - 20 cm

Bloom Time: May - July

Bloom Colour: Purple-blue flowers

Light: Full sun to semi-shade

Moisture: Moist to dry

Soil: Average well-drained garden soil

Seeding: Seeds require cold stratification in order to germinate. See the Plant Info page for more detailed information on growing from seed.

Landscape uses: Good for a rock garden or other well-drained location. Likes to be mulched. Will self-seed but is easily managed.

Interesting features: This is Alberta's most unusual violet. Its unique deeply cut leaves look a little like a crow's foot and the flowers are large for the size of the plant. It is rare in the Edmonton area for 2 reasons: it is at the northern limit of its range and it prefers sandy well-drained slopes and meadows.

Natural habitat: Dry gravelly hills and prairie grassland.

Ecology: The violet family members are host plants for Fritillary butterflies.