How much sun does Long-spur Violet need?

Long-spur Violet grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Long-spur Violet bloom?

Long-spur Violet blooms in April, May, and June.

Where is Long-spur Violet native?

Long-spur Violet (Viola rostrata) is native to AL, CT, GA, IN and 15 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Long-spur Violet attract?

Long-spur Violet draws bees and flies.

Is Long-spur Violet HOA-friendly?

Long-spur Violet takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Long-spur Violet

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Viola rostrata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Long-spur Violet (Viola rostrata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AL, CT, GA, IN and 15 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Northern Forests Northern Piedmont Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Eastern Temperate Forests Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Long-spur violet is a delicate native perennial with distinctive purple flowers that have elongated spurs extending behind the petals. This compact violet spreads slowly to form small colonies and blooms reliably from April through June in partially shaded areas.

In an HOA neighborhood

Long-spur Violet takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Appears weedy to conventional gardeners
Self-seeds and spreads naturally
Dies back after blooming season

Wildlife value

The flowers attract various bees and flies during the spring blooming period. Like other violets, it may serve as a host plant for fritillary butterfly caterpillars.

Common questions

How much sun does Long-spur Violet need?: Long-spur Violet grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Long-spur Violet bloom?: Long-spur Violet blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Long-spur Violet native?: Long-spur Violet (Viola rostrata) is native to AL, CT, GA, IN and 15 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Long-spur Violet attract?: Long-spur Violet draws bees and flies.
Is Long-spur Violet HOA-friendly?: Long-spur Violet takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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