PADNWS-04-13-24 GARDEN PARTY Common_Violet.JPG

The term “shrinking violet†was first applied to violets (Viola sororia) in the early 1800s in reference to the flower’s size. The charming white, blue, or purple flowers are small, but they’re so abundant in Illinois that it was adopted as the state flower in 1908. It’s also the state flower of New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

The flowers appear April to June before tree canopies are leafed out, and they often re-bloom in the fall. Summer sees the heart-shaped leafed plant reach 6 to 10-inches wide depending on soil moisture. The woodland plant is highly adaptable to sun/shade and moisture conditions.

Contact Carolyn Roof, the Sun’s gardening columnist at carolynroof02@gmail.com.

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