Pennsylvania Cinquefoil vs Early Blue Violet - TreeTime.ca

Pennsylvania Cinquefoil vs Early Blue Violet

Potentilla pensylvanica

Viola adunca

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Pennsylvania Cinquefoil
Early Blue Violet

Pennsylvania Cinquefoil is well suited for naturalisation projects as it is a wildflower native to North America. It is widespread and can be found growing in rocky soils at higher elevations in the mountains and foothills, as well as the dry prairies. The Pennsylvania Cinquefoil is capable of growing in cold, harsh conditions. The bright yellow flowers are found at the top of long stalks in small dense clusters and are ideal for attracting pollinators.

Early Blue Violet is a low-growing native perennial wildflower valued for its striking early-spring blooms. The flowers range in color from vibrant blue to deep violet, often marked with pale highlights and fine white hairs. They provide an important early nectar source for pollinators and serve as a host plant for several fritillary butterfly species.

It spreads by both seed and rhizomes, gradually forming small colonies. Its dark green, heart-shaped leaves add ornamental appeal, and the plant shows some resistance to deer browsing. Early Blue Violet is well-suited to naturalization projects and pollinator-friendly gardens, and has also been used in coastal butterfly habitat restoration in the Pacific Northwest.

Pennsylvania Cinquefoil Quick Facts

Early Blue Violet Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Height: 0.1 m (0.3 ft)
Spread: 0.0 m (0.1 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: low growing, clump-forming
Spreading: seeds - medium, rhizomes - medium
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: rhizomes, fruit, seed poisonous to humans
Flowers: yellow
Flowers: purple to blue-violet
Bloom time: mid spring to early summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, YT, NT
Other Names: prairie cinquefoil
Other Names: dog violet, hookedspur violet, sand violet, western blue violet