Brightening the garden with their charming and colorful flowers, Viola (Violet) is a vast genus which includes almost 500 species of annuals, biennials, and both tender and hardy perennials. Invaluable for their winter, spring or summer blooms, their color palette is unsurpassed, offering beautiful pastels and sparkling tones. Some blooms have two, even three colors. Many have unique patterns and markings. Violas and pansies are generally treated as annuals  and used for borders, edgings or containers. Violets are more often used in woodland gardens or rock gardens. Among the most popular Violas are the delightfully fragrant Sweet Violets (Viola odorata) blooming in late winter; the Johnny Jump Ups (Viola tricolor) with their purple, yellow white face-like flowers from late spring until fall. Not to forget the pansies, Viola x wittrockiana, with their cheerful multi-colored flowers through the spring and into summer. There is almost a Viola for every season!