Viola hederaceae

Sunset

Viola 'Dynamite Blotch' (pansy)

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Zones 7-9, 14-24, 29, 30

Full, Partial

Moderate

Australian Violet
Violaceae
Ground covers, Perennials

VIOLA

Botanically speaking, violas, pansies, and almost all violets are perennials belonging to the genus Viola.

However, violas and pansies are usually treated as annuals, invaluable for winter and spring bloom in mild-winter areas, for spring-through-summer color in colder climates.

Typically used for mass color in borders and edgings, as covers for spring-flowering bulbs, in containers. Violets are more often used as woodland or rock garden plants.

Violas and pansies take sun or partial shade; violets grow in part or full shade (except as noted), but most are natives of deciduous forests and bloom best with at least some sun during the flowering season.

Viola hederaceae

To 1–4 in. high; eventually covers several feet, spreading by runners at slow to moderate rate. Kidney-shaped leaves to 1/2 in. long. Nearly spurless, 1/4–3/4-in. flowers—broader than high and rather flat—in summer. They come in violet, blue, or white; commonly seen form is white with heavy blue-violet veining in throat. usa as a ground cover in light shade or (with abundant water) in sun.