The Common Dog Violet is a British wildflower of garssland and woodland. It produces blue/purple flowers from April to June that provide nectar for pollinators. Several fritillary butterflies lay their eggs on this plant including the Dark Green Fritillary which has been spotted in Stoke Park and the Silver Washed Fritillary which has been spotted in the wooded areas of the Downs.
 
This mat-forming plant grows to 12cm tall and 30cm across in partial shade and a moist but well-drained soil. It will thrive when planted in a lawn underneath a deciduous tree (one that drops its leaves in autumn) and will often self-seed.