The Gardener's Almanac

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Viola

Common name; Heartease

Aspect

This hardy perennial is often grown as an annual and is not to be confused with its big brother the hybrid garden pansy V x wittrockiana.

 

This smaller variety is generally classified as either V x cornuta or V x tricolour (Heartsease)

 

The flower size across the genus can vary from about 20mm (¾”) which is generally accepted as a ‘Viola’ to the many hybrids (Pansies) which can measure 100mm (4”) across.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The viola grows to around 150mm (6") high with a spread of approximately 300mm (12"), and flowers from May to September.

 

Deadhead the flowers as they fade to maintain a succession of blooms.

 

 

Cultivation;

 

Week 13: Sow seed in trays of seed compost and germinate at a temperature of 16°C (60°F).

 

Germination should take about seven to ten days.

 

 

 

Week 17; Prick out seedlings into 75mm (3") pots/cell trays of potting compost.

 

Gradually harden off till planting out time.

 

 

 

Week 20; Plant out 200mm (8") apart in any fertile, moist, well drained soil, in sun or partial shade.

 

 

 

Week 30; Alternative sowings can be made now.

 

Sow seed in trays of seed compost and germinate in a cold frame.

 

Prick out the seedlings into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost over-winter the young plants in the cold frame

 

Plant out in the flowering sites in March or April.

 

 

 

Week 32; Take 50mm (2") cuttings of non flowering basal shoots and insert into trays/pots of equal parts (by volume) peat and sharp sand, and place in a cold frame to root.

 

Once rooted, pot up individual plants into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost, and grow on until planting out time.

 

 

Related Links

Basal cuttings

Baskets

Compost

Containers

Deadheading

Hardening off

Heating

Planting out

Pricking out

Seed sowing

 

 

 

 

 

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