Viola spp. Blue

Common Name:
Blue Viola

Description:
Viola spp. Blue is a charming cool-season flowering perennial commonly grown as an annual for its prolific display of vibrant blue to violet blooms. Flowering freely through autumn, winter and spring, this compact plant produces masses of cheerful flowers above neat mounds of bright green foliage, bringing long-lasting colour to garden beds, borders, containers and hanging baskets. Well-suited to Melbourne's climate, Blue Viola thrives in fertile, well-drained soil and performs best in full sun to part shade. Regular watering and removal of spent flowers will encourage continuous blooming and maintain a tidy appearance. Its compact growth habit, excellent flowering performance and ability to brighten gardens during the cooler months make it a popular choice for seasonal displays and mass plantings.

Form:

• Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

Mature Size:

• Height: 10–20 cm
• Width: 15–25 cm

Aspect:

• Full Sun
• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Autumn
• Flowers in Winter
• Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:

• Blue
• Violet-blue
• Yellow eye

Key Attributes:

• Bee Attracting
• Edible Flowers
• Herbaceous
• Perennial
• Suitable for Pots
• Long flowering period
• Excellent for borders
• Ideal for hanging baskets
• Suitable for mass planting

Toxicity:
Generally regarded as non-toxic to humans, dogs and cats. Flowers are edible and are often used as a decorative garnish. As with any plant material, excessive consumption may cause mild digestive discomfort.

Companion Plants:

• Alyssum
• Cyclamen
• Dianthus
• Hellebore
• Lobelia
• Pansy
• Polyanthus
• Primula
• Stock
• Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
• Cineraria
• Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima)