PlantFiles: Cyclamen Leaved Violet
Viola grypoceras var. exilis

This is much smaller than most other violet species - reseed best in exposed locations in shade - best in shade rock garden or minature gardens in shade. The species are spinning my head - This may be the new name - Viola coreana. Have tiny flowers that are almost insignificant compare to the foliages. Very uncommonly sold in the plant trade.

(at present it is syn Viola grypoceras v. exilis; older name just a few years ago and is still seen in varieties here on Dave's Garden - Viola koreana).

I have been very pleased with the performance of this plant. I use it as a groundcover in my shade garden and it is continually self-seeding(though not as invasively as regular sweet violets) so I am able to share and to plant up new areas. The leaves are the main attraction for me as the flowers are rather small.

I've not long had this little gem and I've found some very conflicting descriptions in my resources. More information will be forthcoming when I have grown it a little while longer.

Has rounded, kidney shaped leaves with deep ribs of silver and purple, with purple undersides, which do look a bit like a Cyclamen. Has small violet flowers which appear in cool conditions. It produces many closed flowers(cleistogamous flowers) and after looking very closely I can confirm that. They still can produce viable seeds with or without petals. They self seed everywhere.

Flowers March-June

Likes a well drained soil in sun or partial shade. Can be grown indoors in a cool, well ventilated room.

Well worth growing just for the leaves.