James H. Schutte
Family
Violaceae
Botanical Name
Viola
Plant Common Name
Pansy, Violet
General Description
Viola is a large genus of about 550 species of small herbaceous annuals, perennials, or small subshrubs. Many are grown in gardens for their sweet-faced flowers.
Violets are found in most temperate regions of the world in a wide variety of habitats. They may be evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous. The leaves often appear near the ground to form rosettes, but some species have leafy stems and others creep via rhizomes (lateral underground stems). They are variable in shape and color and may be whole, toothed or divided. A large number of species have heart-shaped leaves.
The majority of species have showy flowers which are symmetrical when folded in half. They have five petals, four held upright in pairs and one pointing downward which is broader than the others. Some species have petals with spurs. Flowers are most often produced singly, but sometimes in pairs, on long stems.
Plants known as pansies, violets, violas or violettas comprise over a thousand species, hybrids and cultivars of Viola. Some of the most popular include cultivars of the horned violet (Viola cornuta), which is an evergreen perennial native to the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain. The flowers are blue, purple or white with a spur or horn. It is very floriferous and may bloom continuously in regions where the growing season is cool. The sweet, delightful Johnny-jump-up (Violia tricolor) is an annual or short-lived perennial native to Europe and Asia, but has naturalized elsewhere. And, the beautiful and expressive pansy, Viola x wittrockiana, is the most commonly planted of all Viola.
Culture and hardiness are species dependent. Overall, violets prefer moist, rich, well-drained soil and sites with full to partial sun. Those grown as bedding plants tend to bloom continuously in regions where the growing season is cool but will refrain from blooming as the weather heats up. Few species tolerate the heat and humidity in tropical regions.
Plant Viola in containers, alpine or rock gardens. They will brighten the edges of mixed borders and perennial species can be naturalized in woodland or wildflower gardens.
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Fragrant Flowers
No
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
No
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
