Common Dog Violet -viola riviniana– is a beautiful and familiar wildflower that evokes memories of spring. It’s preferred habitat is woodland glades and hedge banks but plants will also tolerate more sunny sites and can be grown in a variety of positions in gardens, so long as the soil is relatively moist. Plants are very important, for emerging Butterflies and in the wild, Common Dog Violet plays host to species such as the Silver washed fritillary, High brown fritillary, Dark green and Pearl bordered fritillary, all of which will lay their eggs on the plant. Violets are low growing species with delightful heart-shaped purple blue flowers that appear from Mach to May. Common Dog Violet looks best growing with other spring wildflowers such as Primroses, Greater Stitchwort, and Cowslips.