Sweet White Violet (Viola incognita)

Sweet White Violet has white flowers with purple nectar guides for pollinators. It is a low growing, spreading plant (spreads by stolons) found in wet woods, often on hummocks at the bases of large ferns.

This violet spreads by above ground stolons and even though it is found in wet woods, it reportedly does well in yards as well and can handle some dry. Put it in the coolest shady place in your yard.

If you try to look this violet up on the internet, you most likely need to use the species epithet blanda. Viola blanda was recently split with blanda occurring further east and incognita occurring in the Midwest. One of the main differences is the hairiness of the plant. Viola blanda is smooth and our species is hairy (see photos).

Companion Plants: cardinal flower, blue lobelia, cinnamon fern, ostrich fern, skunk cabbage

Sweet White Violet (Viola incognita)

Michigan Flora reference page for statewide distribution: Sweet White Violet

Bloom Time: Apr.-June

Height: 3-6”

Soil: moist loam, muck

Sun: part-sun to shade

Plant spacing: 12”

Flower: white

Life cycle: perennial

Family: Violaceae

Seedsource: Michigan