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Herbaceous Perennial

Viola 'Bowles's Black' (T)

viola 'Bowles's Black'

A compact, clump-forming evergreen perennial with green foliage and velvety very dark purple to almost black flowers with a bright yellow eye, appearing over a long period from March through to October

Synonyms
Viola cornuta 'Bowles' Black'
Viola 'E.A. Bowles'
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cm
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Black Green
Summer Purple Black Green
Autumn Purple Black Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Violaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming
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

How to grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by softwood tip cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
Pruning

Deadhead regularly and cut back in autumn

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, pansy downy mildew, a virus and a rust

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