Viola cornuta Alba Group (C) | horned pansy Alba Group

RHS 2002

Synonyms

Viola cornuta 'Alba'

Herbaceous Perennial

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Alba Group are spreading evergreen perennials to 15cm in height, with light green, lance-shaped leaves and pure white, long-spurred flowers 3cm in width

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Violaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
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

Horticultural Classification Codes

Horticultural Classification Codes are often given to genera which have a large number of species or cultivars. They are used to categorise cultivated plants based on specific, shared characteristics such as shape, colour, size or flowering time, and can be displayed as letters or numbers

For example:
Dahlia ‘Sunset Kate (Sin) = Single flower
Rosa ‘Marigold’ (HT) = Hybrid Tea: Cornuta hybrids are generally smaller than true pansies with detailed, colourful markings and a distinctive long nectar spur, giving them the nickname 'horned' or 'tufted' pansies

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Garden edging
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering. After flowering cut back vigorous plants to keep compact

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and violet gall midge

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, pansy leaf spot, a virus and a rust