Bird's Foot Violet (Viola pedata) is in the Violet Family family (Violaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,778 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Bird's Foot Violet: observations by month (U.S.)
About Bird's Foot Violet
Viola pedata (birdsfoot violet, bird's-foot violet, or mountain pansy) is a violet native to sandy areas in eastern North America. It favors well drained, acidic soils in full to partial sun environments. It is difficult to cultivate in typical garden environments because it does not tolerate rich, organic garden soils and excess moisture.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Bird's Foot Violet by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 300 | May | May–May |
| North Carolina | 174 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Massachusetts | 134 | May | May–May |
| Arkansas | 124 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Maryland | 108 | April | Apr–May |
| Kentucky | 104 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Missouri | 95 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Alabama | 94 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Mississippi | 85 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Minnesota | 68 | May | May–May |
| Virginia | 62 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Georgia | 60 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Tennessee | 57 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Illinois | 52 | May | Apr–May |
| Michigan | 34 | May | May–Jun |
| South Carolina | 33 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Indiana | 27 | May | May–May |
| Louisiana | 27 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Oklahoma | 27 | April | Mar–Apr |
| New Jersey | 23 | May | Apr–May |
| Connecticut | 19 | May | Apr–May |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | April | Apr–May |
| Texas | 12 | March | Mar–Mar |
| West Virginia | 10 | April | Apr–May |
| Rhode Island | 9 | May | May–May |
| New Hampshire | 7 | May | May–May |
| Iowa | 5 | April | Apr–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Violet Family)
American field pansy
Canada Violet
California Golden Violet
Smooth Yellow Violet
Halberd-leaved violet
European field pansy
Long-spurred violet
Stream Violet
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Bird's Foot Violet?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Bird's Foot Violet most often seen?
The most observations come from Wisconsin, North Carolina, Massachusetts.