Viola walteri 'Silver Gem'

Sizes available: 2 quart

Basics: zones 5-8, 3-4" x 10-14", part shade to shade, blooms on and off from spring into summer, silvery-blue foliage, keep watered until established, likes a well-drained and neutral to alkaline pH, drought tolerant once established

Common names: Prostrate Blue Violet, Walter's Violet, this is a selected variety

Family: Violaceae

Origin/Distribution: The species is native from Ohio south to the Gulf of Mexico. This cultivar was selected from seedlings exhibiting much more silvery foliage than the species. It was introduced into commercial production by Mt. Cuba Center in 2010. 

Habitat: moist, deciduous woods

More: This lovely plant will make a dense ground cover with adequate moisture, however, it is adaptable to dry shade where the plants will remain in more discrete clumps. In the wild the species is found growing with Mayapple, Trilliums, and Partridgeberry. Some sources say hardy to zone 6, but others say zone 5. I will keep you posted. 

Nursery: Van Berkum

Image credits: Van Berkum Nursery