• Height: 4-6 in
• Spread: 4-8 in
• Light: Full sun-Part shade
• Soil: Dry-Average, Well drained
• Zone: 4-8
• Deer resistance: Moderate
• Deciduous
• Native

Getting its name from the deeply lobed foliage that resembles a birds foot this little violet makes a great ground cover in the garden. Producing light blue to lavender flowers with contrasting orange anthers in the spring. You will see a big spring flush with sporadic blooming into the fall.

A lovely addition for butterfly gardens as it is a host plant for Fritillary butterflies. Because violets are typically considered weedy in the garden many of the Fritillary species are in decline. Birds foot violet also supports several specialized bees in the Andrena genus.

With its attractive foliage and flowers plus the wildlife impact this would be a great choice to fill in gaps in pollinator gardens on sunny dry slopes or meadows. Violets do tend to self seed pretty easily so that is something to keep in mind. The 'Eco Artists Palette' nativar is considerably less seedy if that is preferable to you.