How much sun does Upland yellow violet need?

Upland yellow violet grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Upland yellow violet bloom?

Upland yellow violet blooms in April and May.

Where is Upland yellow violet native?

Upland yellow violet (Viola praemorsa) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Upland yellow violet host?

Upland yellow violet is a larval host plant for great spangled fritillary.

Upland yellow violet

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Viola praemorsa

Last reviewed: October 2026

Upland yellow violet (Viola praemorsa) is a perennial forb native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states. It blooms in April and May. The flowers draw bees.

Toxicity unknown

Upland yellow violet (Viola praemorsa) 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

full sun

Water

medium

Size

3"–8" H × 6"–10" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states

Pollinators

bees

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Northwestern Great Plains

A small, tufted violet with rounded gray-green leaves and bright yellow flowers with fine purple veining on the lower petal, blooming close to the ground in open grassy meadows in spring.

Growing Upland yellow violet

Grow Upland yellow violet in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 3 to 8 inches tall and spread 6 to 10 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for great spangled fritillary.

A larval host plant for great spangled fritillary and other fritillary butterflies, whose caterpillars feed exclusively on violets.

Common questions

How much sun does Upland yellow violet need?: Upland yellow violet grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Upland yellow violet bloom?: Upland yellow violet blooms in April and May.
Where is Upland yellow violet native?: Upland yellow violet (Viola praemorsa) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Upland yellow violet host?: Upland yellow violet is a larval host plant for great spangled fritillary.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.

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