Violets with amazing colors are blooming now if you know where to look.

Dianne Machesney found these bird’s-foot violets (Viola pedata) at Sideling Hill just south of the Pennsylvania border in Maryland.  They prefer dry, undisturbed soil so they don’t do well in gardens where the loamy, moist soil is turned over often.

Above, a close up of the flowers.  Below, the entire bouquet shows the birds-foot shaped leaves.

Most of the flowers are one shade of blue.  The two-toned blooms are extra special.

(photos by Dianne Machesney)