Viola corsica

RHS Plant Profile
Corsican violet
Herbaceous Perennial

a herbaceous perennial up to 20cm high with rather weak stems, green leaves, the lower ones rhombic or rounded and the upper ones oblong or linear, and flowers, 3.5cm long, whose petals do not overlap, and which are sometimes yellow, but usually violet-purple with darker rays and white and yellow centres, from spring to early summer in the wild, but in cultivation may be from spring to autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, 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 Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Violaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
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
Unresolved
Plant Range
Corsica, Sardinia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or in spring, or by division in spring or autumn, or by stem-tip softwood cuttings in spring or late summer; it will also self-seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to pansy leaf spot, pansy downy mildew, mosaic virus diseases, rust diseases, and powdery mildews