Growing Guide
 
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Viola

Annual Flower

Also known as Johnny Jump Up, Heart�s Ease
Viola tricolor
Violaceae Family

Violas, with their cheery yellow and purple flowers, are early-blooming annuals that mark the coming of spring in the garden. They prefer cool weather, and often die back and need to be removed when hot weather arrives.

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Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • full sun
  • part shade

Soil conditions:

  • requires well-drained soil
Prefers rich, moist but well-drained soil.
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: annual

Ease-of-care: easy

Height: 0.25 to 0.66 feet

Spread: 0.25 to 0.5 feet

Bloom time:

  • early spring
  • mid-spring
  • late spring

Often continues to flower into the summer if weather stays cool.

Flower color:

  • yellow
  • blue
  • violet

Flowers are bluish-purple with yellow and cream markings.

Foliage color:

  • medium green
  • dark green

Foliage texture: medium

Shape:

  • cushion, mound or clump
  • spreading mass

Shape in flower: same as above

Special Considerations
Tolerates:
  • frost
Special characteristics:
  • non-aggressive
  • non-invasive
  • not native to North America - Native to Europe, Asia.
Special uses:
  • edible flowers - Used as decorations and garnishes.
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by seed - Sow seeds outdoors in late summer to fall for spring bloom the following year.

Days to emergence: 14 to 21

Maintenance and care:
Deadhead to prolong blooming. Pinch to keep bushy. Keep soil moist but not soggy.

More growing information: How to Grow Annuals

Pests:
Aphids
Mealybug
Spider mites
Parasitic nematodes
Diseases:
Oedema
Powdery mildew
Anthracnose
Downy mildew
Fungal leaf spot
Scab