Viola 'Moonlight' (Va)

RHS Plant Profile
viola 'Moonlight'
viola 'Moonlight' RHS
Award of Garden Merit
Herbaceous Perennial

A spreading evergreen perennial to 20cm tall, with ovate leaves and narrow, long-stemmed, pale creamy-yellow flowers 3cm wide in late spring and summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

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

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
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
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 moist 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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

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

Diseases

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