Howell’s Violet: A Pacific Northwest Native Worth Discovering
If you’re looking to add authentic Pacific Northwest character to your garden, Howell’s violet (Viola howellii) might just be the understated beauty you’ve been searching for. This charming native perennial brings the quiet elegance of the region’s natural woodlands right to your backyard.
What Makes Howell’s Violet Special
Howell’s violet is a native forb, which simply means it’s a soft-stemmed perennial that lacks the woody growth you’d find in shrubs or trees. Instead, it’s perfectly content to live its life as a low-growing herbaceous plant, popping up year after year with reliable persistence.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
This violet calls the Pacific Northwest home, naturally occurring across British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington. It’s truly native to both Canada and the lower 48 states, making it a genuine regional treasure that has evolved alongside local ecosystems for thousands of years.
Why Your Garden (and Local Wildlife) Will Love It
Like other members of the violet family, Howell’s violet likely produces those classic purple-blue flowers that are such a welcome sight in spring. While this particular species keeps a relatively low profile in gardening circles, violets as a group are fantastic supporters of local wildlife, particularly native bees and butterflies.
Here’s what makes it garden-worthy:
- Native plant that supports local ecosystems
- Perennial reliability – comes back year after year
- Low-maintenance once established
- Provides groundcover in woodland settings
- Likely drought-tolerant once established (typical of Pacific Northwest natives)
Perfect Spots for Planting
Howell’s violet is ideally suited for:
- Native plant gardens
- Woodland or forest-edge landscapes
- Naturalized areas
- Shaded groundcover applications
- Rain gardens (if it tolerates moisture like many regional natives)
Growing Conditions and Care
Based on its native range, Howell’s violet likely thrives in conditions similar to other Pacific Northwest woodland plants. Think dappled sunlight filtering through trees, well-draining but moisture-retentive soil, and the kind of cool, humid conditions that make this region famous for its lush forests.
Estimated growing preferences:
- Light: Partial shade to filtered sunlight
- Soil: Well-draining, organic-rich soil
- Water: Moderate moisture, likely drought-tolerant once established
- Hardiness: Likely USDA zones 6-9 (based on geographic range)
The Challenge (And the Opportunity)
Here’s the thing about Howell’s violet – it’s not exactly flooding the nursery market. This species represents one of those wonderful native plants that deserves more attention but hasn’t quite made it into mainstream horticulture yet. If you can track down seeds or plants from native plant societies or specialty growers, you’ll be adding something truly special to your landscape.
Growing Tips for Success
While specific cultivation information for Howell’s violet is limited, you can apply general violet-growing wisdom:
- Plant in spring or fall for best establishment
- Ensure good drainage while maintaining soil moisture
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Be patient – native plants often take time to establish but reward you with long-term resilience
- Allow plants to self-seed in appropriate areas for natural colonies
The Bottom Line
Howell’s violet might not be the showiest plant in your garden, but it offers something increasingly valuable – authentic regional character and ecosystem support. If you’re committed to creating landscapes that truly belong to their place, seeking out natives like this one is worth the extra effort. Your local wildlife will thank you, and you’ll have the satisfaction of growing something that’s been thriving in your region long before any of us arrived on the scene.
Consider reaching out to local native plant societies or botanical gardens – they’re often the best sources for regional treasures like Howell’s violet.
