Not the prettiest name for a very pretty flower…Common Dog-violets start to bloom in early Spring, with a second flush in late Summer.

Photo: Amanda Scott

There is something very precious about a drift of dew-dappled violets shyly peeking out from among the grasses on a spring day.

There are nine species of violet native to Great Britain, and by far the most common is Viola riviniana – the Common Dog-violet. In the early spring, and again in late summer through to early autumn, its delicate blue beauty brightens the hedges, pastures and woods of the British countryside. Found in many different habitats, it is not overly fussy so long as the soil is neither too wet or too acidic.

Other species of Violet you might find on The Lizard include the Heath Dog-violet (V. canina), which likes sandy acidic soils and is paler than V. riviniana, or Sweet Violet (V. odorata), our only scented Violet.

Did you know…?

…The Common Dog-violet is the foodplant for caterpillars of the Pearl-bordered, Small Pearl-bordered, Silver-washed and High Brown Fritillary butterflies.

…The dark purple veins on the lower petal (see image) are nectar guides: ‘landing pads’ helping pollinators find their way to the tasty nectar within.