Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Cream Purple Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Blue Cream Purple Yellow | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Violaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Viola can be annuals, biennials or deciduous or evergreen perennials, with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and 5-petalled flowers of characteristic shape
- Name status
Accepted
- Horticultural Group
- Violas are compact reliably perennial, clump-forming plants with a complex root system and rounded, more or less fragrant flowers, often with darker rays, over a long period in late spring and summer
How to grow
Cultivation
Best in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil but will grow in any, moderately fertile soil apart from waterlogged soils. Full sun or partial shade is best but shade is tolerated
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in late winter or early spring or propagate by stem-tip cuttings in spring or late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Cut flowers
- Garden edging
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Deadhead to prolong flowering unless seed is required. Cut back after flowering in summer
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and violet gall midge
Diseases
May be subject to powdery mildews, pansy leaf spot, a virus and a rust
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.