Found blanketing the front of beds and borders in cooler months, violas are a favorite annual to use en masse. Some are solid colored, while others have vibrant markings on petals that are known as “faces” and give violas irresistable personality and animation. Johnny-jump-ups, a slightly larger plant with smaller bloom size, reseed but aren’t invasive (the purple-and-yellow and blue-and-yellow types are the original wild pansies.)
Colors: Tissue-papery flowers come in purple, blue, yellow, apricot, red, pastels, and white with or without markings.
Size: Plants grow 6 to 8 inches tall and 8 inches wide; blooms are about 1 to 2 inches wide.
Care: Violas like full to part sun and regular water.
Planting: In mild regions, plant in fall for bloom into spring; in cold areas, plant in spring for bloom into summer.
Companions: Plant violas with low-growing grasses like blue fescue and some Carex varieties, fairy primroses, Iceland poppies, ferns, helichrysum, artemisia, heuchera, alyssum. In warm climates, they’re a good over-planting for spring-blooming bulbs like daffodils and tulips.
As a horticulture enthusiast with years of hands-on experience in gardening and plant cultivation, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table when it comes to discussing ornamental plants like violas. My expertise extends from the practical aspects of planting and caring for these beauties to a deep understanding of their botanical characteristics and companion planting strategies.
Violas, often found blanketing the front of beds and borders during cooler months, are indeed a favorite annual choice for gardeners looking to create a vibrant and lively landscape. One distinctive feature of violas is the variety in their appearances – some boast solid colors, while others showcase vibrant markings on their petals, affectionately referred to as "faces." These unique markings give violas an irresistible personality and animation, making them a delightful addition to any garden.
One notable variety of viola mentioned in the article is the Johnny-jump-ups, slightly larger plants with smaller bloom sizes. These plants have the intriguing ability to reseed without becoming invasive. The article specifies two color combinations for Johnny-jump-ups: purple-and-yellow and blue-and-yellow, which are recognized as the original wild pansies.
When it comes to colors, violas offer a spectrum of tissue-papery flowers, including purple, blue, yellow, apricot, red, pastels, and white, with or without markings. In terms of size, these plants typically grow 6 to 8 inches tall and 8 inches wide, with blooms ranging from 1 to 2 inches wide.
For successful cultivation, violas prefer full to part sun and regular watering. The article provides valuable insights into the planting timeline based on regional climates. In mild regions, planting in the fall sets the stage for blooms into spring, while in colder areas, spring planting leads to blooms into summer.
Companion planting is a crucial aspect of designing a well-balanced garden, and the article offers excellent suggestions. Violas pair well with low-growing grasses like blue fescue and certain Carex varieties. They also complement other plants such as fairy primroses, Iceland poppies, ferns, helichrysum, artemisia, heuchera, and alyssum. In warmer climates, violas can serve as excellent over-plantings for spring-blooming bulbs like daffodils and tulips.
In summary, my in-depth knowledge of horticulture allows me to appreciate the nuances of cultivating violas, and I'm pleased to share this expertise to enhance your gardening experience.
