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Viola - Violets

Viola is a diverse genus of flowering plants belonging to the Violaceae family, comprising over 500 species varying in size, growth habit, and color. The genus includes well-known plants like violets and pansies, cherished for their delicate and colorful blooms. Viola species can be found across temperate regions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, ranging from tiny wildflowers to cultivated garden varieties.

Violas display a wide range of growth habits, from low-growing ground covers to taller, clump-forming perennials. Many species, such as Viola odorata (sweet violet), spread to form a dense mat, making them ideal for ground cover or border planting. In contrast, some cultivated pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) are often used as bedding plants.

Hardiness varies among viola species, with many being cold-tolerant perennials or biennials that can survive freezing temperatures. Some are even adapted to alpine environments, while others are more suited to milder climates. Generally, violas are adapted to USDA hardiness zones 3-9, depending on the species and cultivar.

Viola flowers come in a wide array of colors, including purple, blue, white, yellow, and various bicolor combinations. The blooms typically consist of five petals, with the lower petal often featuring a spur or nectar pouch, which attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. Like those of Viola odorata, the flowers can be fragrant or have little to no scent. The blooming season for violas varies by species but generally occurs in spring, with some species providing sporadic blooms throughout summer and even into fall.

Violas have multiple uses and benefits in the garden and beyond. They are excellent ground cover plants, suppressing weeds and providing a colorful carpet during their blooming season. They attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which are essential for a healthy ecosystem. Many viola species also have edible flowers and leaves, which can be used in salads, desserts, teas, or as decorative garnishes.

In summary, the Viola genus is a diverse and versatile group of plants, offering gardeners a wide range of options for adding beauty, fragrance, and ecological benefits to their landscapes. With their varied growth habits, hardiness, and colorful flowers, violas can be incorporated into many different garden settings, from woodland gardens and borders to containers and rockeries.

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Viola 'Bunny Ears' (Pansy)

Particularly cute, Viola 'Bunny Ears' (Pansy) is a low-growing perennial boasting unusual bunny shaped flowers adorned with 2 elongated top petals, and the classic pansy face from early to late spring. The sweet-scented flowers arise from clumps of oval, dark green leaves. A charming addition to beds and borders, rock gardens or containers.

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Viola 'Celestial Blue Moon'

Noted for its winter hardiness and heat tolerance, Viola 'Celestial Blue Moon' is a compact, rounded, evergreen perennial prized for its abundance of fragrant, creamy-white flowers lightly washed in sky blue and accented by bright yellow eyes. Produced from early spring to late fall, they will bloom through the summer in the Midwest. In the Southeast, they will quit blooming, but their foliage will thrive, and they will rebloom in the fall. Sometimes they will flower all winter in mild climate areas.

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Viola 'Celestial Midnight'

Noted for its winter hardiness and heat tolerance, Viola 'Celestial Midnight' is a compact, rounded, evergreen perennial prized for its abundance of fragrant, dark, rich violet flowers blushed with burgundy and adorned with a bright yellow eye. Produced from early spring to late fall, they will bloom through the summer in the Midwest. In the Southeast, they will quit blooming, but their foliage will thrive, and they will rebloom in the fall. Sometimes they will flower all winter in mild climate areas.

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Viola 'Celestial Northern Lights'

Noted for its winter hardiness and heat tolerance, Viola 'Celestial Northern Lights' is a compact, rounded, evergreen perennial prized for its abundance of fragrant, vibrant purple flowers with sunshine yellow and orange blushed petals. Produced from early spring to late fall, they will bloom through the summer in the Midwest. In the Southeast, they will quit blooming, but their foliage will thrive, and they will rebloom in the fall. Sometimes they will flower all winter in mild climate areas.

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Viola 'Celestial Twilight'

Noted for its winter hardiness and heat tolerance, Viola 'Celestial Twilight' is a compact, rounded, evergreen perennial prized for its abundance of fragrant, bright sunshine-yellow flowers blushed mauve and orange. Produced from early spring to late fall, they will bloom through the summer in the Midwest. In the Southeast, they will quit blooming, but their foliage will thrive, and they will rebloom in the fall. Sometimes they will flower all winter in mild climate areas.

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Viola 'Etain'

Deliciously scented, Viola 'Etain' is a low-growing, evergreen perennial producing large, creamy-yellow flowers, 1.75 in. across (4 cm), adorned with contrasting lavender-purple edges from spring to fall. Though it blooms the heaviest from late spring to early summer, it will continue to send up flowers sporadically throughout the summer and into fall. The sweet-scented flowers arise from clumps of oval, dark green leaves, which spread to form an elegant ground cover. A classic viola that blooms longer than average and has gorgeous flowers.

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Viola 'Heartthrob' (Violet)

Viola 'Heartthrob' is a low-growing perennial noted for its incredibly showy foliage of heart-shaped leaves adorned with deep burgundy centers that contrast with the bright green leaf edges. Classic lavender-violet flowers appear before the leaves in mid-spring, but get covered up later by the magnificent foliage. A wonderful foliage plant for containers, the front of the border, or as a ground cover.

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Viola 'Sorbet Carmine Rose' (Horned Violet)

Free-flowering and heat tolerant, Viola 'Sorbet Carmine Rose' (Horned Violet) is a compact, semi-evergreen perennial prized for its abundance of small carmine flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), adorned with yellow centers and pretty whiskers. Flowering is so prolific that it obscures the foliage when the plant is in full bloom.

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Viola 'Sorbet Coconut Swirl' (Horned Violet)

Free-flowering and heat tolerant, Viola 'Sorbet Coconut Swirl' (Horned Violet) is a compact, semi-evergreen perennial prized for its abundance of small white flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), adorned with violet edges and indigo whiskers. Flowering is so prolific that it obscures the foliage when the plant is in full bloom. Being small, the flowers hold up to rainy winter weather much better than large pansies.

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Viola 'Sorbet Icy Blue' (Horned Violet)

Free-flowering and heat tolerant, Viola 'Sorbet Icy Blue' (Horned Violet) is a compact, semi-evergreen perennial prized for its abundance of small, pale porcelain-blue flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), adorned with sky-blue centers and a tiny yellow eye. Flowering is so prolific that it obscures the foliage when the plant is in full bloom. Being small, the flowers hold up to rainy winter weather much better than large pansies.

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Viola 'Sorbet Lemon Blueberry Swirl' (Horned Violet)

Free-flowering and heat tolerant, Viola 'Sorbet Lemon Blueberry Swirl' (Horned Violet) is a compact, semi-evergreen perennial prized for its abundance of small sunny-yellow flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), adorned with violet edges and indigo whiskers. Flowering is so prolific that it obscures the foliage when the plant is in full bloom. Being small, the flowers hold up to rainy winter weather much better than large pansies.

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Viola 'Sorbet Lemon Chiffon' (Horned Violet)

Free-flowering and heat tolerant, Viola 'Sorbet Lemon Chiffon' (Horned Violet) is a compact, semi-evergreen perennial prized for its abundance of small, soft yellow flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm). Flowering is so prolific that it obscures the foliage when the plant is in full bloom. Being small, the flowers hold up to rainy winter weather much better than large pansies.

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Viola (Violet)

Violets are charming and colorful flowers that are easy to grow and maintain. They come in various hues and sizes and are known for their delightful fragrance. Violas are perfect for gardens, balconies, and even as indoor plants and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

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Viola adunca (Western Blue Violet)

Native to eastern and western North America, Viola adunca (Western Blue Violet) is a low-growing, spreading perennial forming a neat clump of heart-shaped, dark green leaves. Blooming in mid-spring and sometimes intermittently into late summer, attractive, small, lavender-blue flowers, 1 in. wide (2.5 cm), with conspicuous white throats and bright orange stigmas, appear above the foliage. Extremely fragrant, the blossoms hang at the tips of slender stalks.

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Viola affinis (Sand Violet)

Native to eastern North America, Viola affinis (Sand Violet) is a low-growing perennial forming a dense rosette of glossy, coarsely toothed, heart-shaped leaves. From mid-spring to early summer, the foliage is topped with attractive, dark-veined violet flowers with conspicuous white throats. This Violet goes dormant and disappears in the summer, but comes back in cool weather. Sand Violet thrives in moist to wet shaded areas, deciduous woods and edges, and boggy meadows.

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