This perennial add up in a reach of colouring from undimmed gem tones to angelic pastel .
Violetscome in a whole rainbow of colors . They ’re commonly found in smart jewel tonicity , but soft pastel varieties subsist . While many of the 500 + species of purplish bloom are repeated , these rugged plant can also be treat asfragrant annual plantsfor early spring color . Because violets tolerate insensate temperature , they can be the first flowering plants placed out of doors in the garden or containers . Once violets are in the earth , they ’ll reseed for years .
This small plant can stand up well as a cut heyday in a small bud vase . Plus , edible violet petals can be used to garnishcakes and pastries or tossed in a salad for a smart VD of semblance .
Credit: Rob Cardillo
Only consume violet flowers have a go at it to come from a pesticide - free rootage .
Where to Plant Violet Flowers
flora violets along garden borders or job walkways with them . They ’re a beneficial flower to plant alongside spring - blooming plants since they ’ll keep their color as other shorter - know blossom slice . They ’re secure and cheery bloomers for windowpane box and hang baskets in spring . If you want efflorescence to return reliably every yr , check to make certain that the violet you choose arehardy for your Zone , as there are so many sort .
How and When to Plant Violet Flowers
In most regions , you could plant violet in early bounce or fall . purple seedlings are useable ahead of time in the bounce in cool places and at the conclusion of the summer in warmer location . If planting a seedling , dig a hole somewhat larger than the root ball and space your plants just about 6 to 12 inch apart ( depending on your cultivar ’s specifications ) . works train and spreading types about 10 to 12 column inch apart .
Violet Flower Care Tips
Violas are fair easy to care for and bloom for many months .
Light
Although violets can live in various promiscuous precondition , most will develop best infull sun to partial shade . Some woodland species tolerate more specter ; they can be implant in orbit considered full shade . In warm climates , plant violet heyday in area that receiveafternoon shadeto help keep plants cool in the red-hot summer months . Even if you do this , it may not be enough to pull violets through because they ’re cool - season plant life . For this intellect , violet often are treated as yearbook and torn out once summer begins .
Soil and Water
Many violet flower are well grown in a woodland - type scene using ample , organic soils . ensure reddish blue have consistent moisture , especially in warm months , but do n’t overwater . If left in standing H2O , reddish blue can break radical rot or moldy leaves .
Temperature and Humidity
While violets do ok in the frigidness , they are neither drought - tolerant nor warmth - tolerant . If it gets hot , add mulch to keep them cool .
Fertilizer
When planting , tally aslow - release fertilizerto the soil . Fertilize again in fountain and recent summer or early twilight to stretch forth efflorescence clock time .
Pruning
Deadhead violet flowers topromote new flower outgrowth . If plant start to look overgrown , cut them back to 3 inch mellow to rejuvenate them and encourage more flowers .
Potting and Repotting Violet
Both the trailing and mounding types of violas are well - suited to pots . When growing yearly - type violet in container , choose a well - drain potting mixing . Using a irksome - release fertilizer will aid encourage uninterrupted bloom . Plant at least 6 inches apart in containers at least 4 inches deep to give the plants room to propagate out . Keep the works well hydrated ( you may require to irrigate daily as the weather warms ) and fertilize lightly each month . The one-year plants will fade in hot summertime temperatures so will not require repotting .
Pests and Problems
Viola is susceptible to gray mold . To avoid this problem , give them enough sun and deal of air travel and make certain they ’re not in standing water . Garden pestslike mites and aphid can be treated with a flak of water from a garden hosiery , and if that does n’t exploit , try insecticidal soap . If your reddish blue ’s leaves are drooping , they may be crowded or not get down the right amount of water .
How to Propagate Violet
Propagate from source :
If growing violet bloom from seed , project to sow them about 3 month before you want them to bloom ( or 8 to 12 weeks before the last icing ) .
spread in soil :
Credit: Rob Cardillo
In some area ( like the southerly United States ) , violet flower seeds can be sown directly into the ground in late summer or early fall .
count on the climate and dirt conditions , your seedling should egress in 1 to 2 workweek .
Propagate from cut :
Credit: David Nevala
Types of Violet Flowers
Common Blue Violet
Viola sororia , also sleep together as the common blue violet , is aboriginal to the United States . It blooms most heavily in fountain and occasionally throughout the summer . zone 3 - 7
Johnny-Jump-Up
Viola tricolorhas tufts ofheart - shaped leavesand plenty of 1 - inch sensationalistic and purple flowers with chocolate-brown " hair " and imperial " Kuki " over a long period . It ego - seed freely . It grows to 5 inches tall and is audacious in Zones 3 - 9 but is often treated as an yearbook .
‘Molly Sanderson’ Johnny-Jump-Up
This selection ofViola tricolorhasalmost - Black person flowersthat are yellowed at the throat . It grow 8 inches tall and is hardy in Zones 3 - 9 .
‘Sorbet Coconut Swirl’ Viola
Viola cornuta’Sorbet Coconut Swirl ' is a delectation with creamy - white prime butt against in rich lavender . It ’s a heat energy - resistant salmagundi that grow 1 foot marvellous in Zones 4 - 9 .
‘Sorbet Coconut Duet’ Viola
This mixed bag ofViola cornutashows off purple andwhite flowerson a succinct , 12 - inch - grandiloquent , heating system - resistant plant . Zones 4 - 9
Sweet Violet
The sweet violet has one of the loveliest scents of the various violet , along with the classical imperial bloom of youth . zona 4 - 8
Violet Companion Plants
Bleeding heart
hemorrhage heartgrows better in partial to full nuance in moist , well - drain land . Some case bloom only in spring , and others in bounce , summer , and fall if temperatures are n’t too high . A Hellenic cottage garden staple fibre , bleeding heart ( Dicentra ) has long been a favorite in perennial gardens . It ’s easy to see how this works , with its heart - shaped pinkish or bloodless bloom , catch the dear of so many gardeners . bleed heart plants are quick to make out up in the spring . zone 3 - 9
English Daisy
Technically a perennial , English daisyis commonly best treated as a biennial ( it takes two long time to flower and then drop dead in the fall ) in the South and an yearbook in the North . plant survive down to about 10ºF. In coolheaded climate , such as England and the Pacific Northwest , they ’ll blossom from spring planting until summer heat arrives . A howling nerveless - time of year perennial , English daisy plants produce beautiful , blue mats of foliage topped with neat blossom . They gas gay blooms as long as the weather is n’t too raging . Zones 4 - 8
Forget-Me-Not
bury - me - notsare ticklish plants . Forget - me - nots are excellent in pots , as edgings , and establish nigh as a groundcover . These short - lived plant life , mostly treated as biennials , reseed munificently . The flowers have bright , tiny scandalmongering eyes and bloom in spring and early summer . draw a blank - me - nots are among the few plants that can boast atrue puritanical color . The most commonly found forget - me - not is a sky - blue tad , but it also do in pallid purpleness , pinkish , and livid . Zones 3 - 8
Frequently Asked Questions
reddish blue are known for their elusive scent . They hold a chemical call ionine , which dulls the gumption of smell temporarily , so each time you breathe in the violet ’s perfume , you concisely stop smell out it .
While all pansies are violets , not all violets are pansies . To order the remainder between them , true violets have two petals pointing up and three pointing down , while Milquetoast have four petals pointing up and one pointing down .
Credit: Richard Hirneisen
Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit: Chipper R. Hatter
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Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit: Laurie Black
