Viola Memories

Sweet Violets. Pretty, fragrant and nostalgic, evoking memories of days gone by, from purest white to deepest purple these charming little Spring flowers are loved by young and old alike. Our Viola Memories collection is a lovely country mixture of all the Violets we could find in shades of blue, pink and white - many with a heavenly scent. Novel and worth a try.

How to Grow Viola from Seed

Violas are cool season bloomers and can remain in bloom throughout the winter.

Violas are easy to grow from seed, they will be ready for transplanting within 4 to 6 weeks, and flowering within 12 to 16 weeks. They are best planted during late summer into early autumn, or late winter into early spring. Keep the seed chilled before sowing it and avoid sowing in high temperatures.

The normal temperature of a fridge is 4°C and ideal for chilling seeds, don’t put Viola seeds into the freezer, it will kill them.

Seed can be sown into trays, coir growing cells or pots, from January to April, or throughout September and should germinate within 10 to 21 days at 65-70F / 18-21C. Violas need darkness to germinate, so cover the seeds completely and keep the growing compound moist.

Once the seeds have germinated move them into a brighter position, thinning out when the first true leaves appear and potting on into 7.5cm (3in) pots to be grow on in well ventilated conditions.

Gradually harden off the seedling by leaving them outdoors in a shaded or protected location outdoors for 3 or 4 hours, increasing their time outside by an hour or so each day, and gradually moving them into brighter light, always ensuring that the soil stays moist. After a couple of weeks hardening off your Viola seedlings will be ready for transplanting into the garden, or containers.

Weather permitting Viola seed can be sown directly into the garden. Choose a spot with good well-draining soil.  Loosen the soil in the area where you want to plant, sprinkle the viola seed, cover with ¼ inch, 5ml of soil and keep the seed bed moist. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle thin the young plants, spacing them 6 to 8 inches apart or transplant them as required.

Violas prefer partial shade and once established will multiply quickly providing fabulous  groundcover under shrubs or trees, they are also useful in borders, rockeries, baskets, containers and tubs.

Violas like moist and cool conditions so supply them with mulch and keep them well watered. Dead-heading the plants will help to prolong blooming.

Common Names: Violet, Pansy, Wild Pansy, Heartsease, Sweet Violet, English Violet, Violetta, Johnny Jump Up.