When to plant viola? Viola, or pansies: description of varieties, features of care

Viola tricolor (Víola trícolor), otherwise - pansies, viola, is a herbaceous annual or perennial plant popular in our country. It is most widely used in Europe and the temperate regions of Asia. Viola belongs to the genus Violet from the Violet family.

Botanical features

Violet tricolor has a thin, rod, slightly branched, brownish root, which is buried almost vertically into the soil.

The stem part is branched, triangular, glabrous or pubescent. The stem is hollow, no more than 0.45 m high. The leaves are of the next type, petiolate, glabrous or with scattered hairiness and large crenate. The flowers are represented by a frondose type with a simple brush, zygomorphic, located on peduncles that emerge from the leaf axils. Flowering is profuse and very attractive.

Known subspecies

Currently, violets are quite often used in landscape design cities and become a real decoration of flower beds or flower beds in summer cottages and household plots. The most popular types are:

• Viola curtisii or subspecies Curtis;
• Viola macedonica or subspecies Macedonian;
• Viola matutina or subspecies Morning;
• Viola subalpina or subspecies Subalpine.

To date, there are more than 400 species and varieties of tricolor violet, which allows you to choose a plant for every taste and color for growing in the garden.

Viola: cultivation and care (video)

Violet tricolor - a flower unpretentious and very decorative. Bushes of most varieties are compact. The height of low-growing varieties does not exceed 15 cm. Medium-sized varieties are characterized by a height in the range of 15-25 cm, and tall violets can grow up to 30 cm.

Viola horned or Viola cornuta refers to perennial garden violets that are grown for several years without losing their decorative qualities. Winter hardiness indicators depend on varietal characteristics. A species feature is the presence of a slightly curved spur 1.0-1.5 cm long, located on the back of the flower.

Variety name	plant description	Flowering characteristics	Varietal features
Alba	Bushes form a dense crust no more than 25 cm high	snow white
"Boughton Blue"		Pale blue with white eyes	Flowering from May to September
"Columbine"	Perennial violet up to 25 cm high	White-violet with a bright yellow eye in the center	Long and abundant flowering
Etain	Bushes are compact and undersized	White-yellow with purple border	Unpretentious decorative perennial
"Hansa"	Compact shrub with oblong-ovate leaves	Deep bluish-purple coloration	The root system is creeping, strongly growing

Relatively recently received viola Williams or Viola Williamsii is a biennial plant of hybrid origin. Domestic and foreign breeders have bred not only bush, but also very decorative ampelous forms. A low-growing ornamental plant suitable for indoor floriculture and edging borders.

Variety name	plant description	Flowering characteristics	Varietal features
"Pearl Falls"	Ampelous form with medium-sized but powerful stems	whitish blue variety	During the flowering period, the plant exudes a pronounced aroma.
"Sparkler"	Ampelous form with long flowering	Yellow-burgundy coloring flowers resembling butterflies	Suitable for growing as a pot crop
"Amber Kiss"	bush plant with a stem height of not more than 30 cm	Bright bronze-yellow flowers
"Frose chocolate"	Bush plant with a straight stem 25 cm high	brown flowers with a yellow eye	There is a rapid increase in width

Violet Wittrock or garden pansy is a herbaceous perennial plant of hybrid origin. All cultivars and cultivar groups have been developed by crossing Viola tricolor and Viola altaica with Viola lutea.

Variety name	plant description	Flowering characteristics	Varietal features
"Swedish giants"	Compact bushes no more than 20 cm high with oval-rounded leaves of bright green color	The flowers are bright, with the presence of a traditional eye and a dark "butterfly"	Multicolor, profusely flowering form
"Rococo"	Upright bush with dense branching, belongs to small-flowered forms	Bright coloration, complemented by dark strokes and spots on the petals	The presence of unusual corrugated petals
"Bambini"	The height of the bush is not more than 15-20 cm. The stems form dense pillows.	Flowers of delicate, pastel colors with a white or yellow "butterfly" in the central part	Large-flowered form with abundant flowering

Fragrant violet or Viola odorata refers to perennial ornamental plants. At the stage of active flowering, it has a pleasant and quite pronounced aroma, which makes it possible to use fragrant violet extract in the creation of cosmetic and perfumery products.

Variety name	plant description	Flowering characteristics	Varietal features
Coeur d'Alsace	Low and very compact bushes	Salmon-colored flowers	Used to decorate borders, rock gardens or mixborders
Ashvale Blue	Lush flowering dwarf plants	White flowers with blue spots	Large-flowered terry form
Marie Louise		blue flowers with white center	Terry variety with a pronounced aroma
"La France"	Compact type profusely flowering bushes	Purple colored flowers	Large-flowered fragrant form
"Orchid Pink"	When planted densely, the plants form a lush and dense flowering cushion.	Pinkish-purple flowers with pale blue stripes in the center	Used to decorate borders, rock gardens or mixborders

Of particular interest to floriculture are also the following unusual varieties and varieties:

• violet "Little Red Riding Hood", forming large semi-double and double, slightly notched, coral-red color, star-shaped flowers;
• yellow violet (Víola lutéa), which is a perennial herbaceous plant;
• pink dense violet called "Your Majesty", with wavy petals and bright lush green foliage;
• Violet "Black Cherry" with strong double, not fully opening flowers of dark cherry color.

With the correct placement of a garden violet in a flower bed, an outdoor flower garden will look like from the picture.

Landing technology

Currently, flower growers are successfully practicing several methods of breeding and growing violets. Enough simple option is the sowing of room culture with seeds. Seeds should be planted in pre-prepared soil, adhering to the following technology:

• fill the sowing containers with a nutrient soil mixture, and sift the top layer through a medium-sized sieve;
• shed the soil abundantly in the planting containers with a fungicide solution;
• gently but carefully level the surface and make grooves for sowing;
• sow the seeds in the soil and sprinkle with a disinfected fertile soil flower mixture;
• water the crops abundantly and leave under a film cover for germination.

Seedlings should be planted after the air temperature is optimal for the growth and development of the flower culture, and the soil is warm enough. Landing in open ground is carried out in August or September. The site where violets are supposed to be planted can be either sunny or shady, depending on the botanical characteristics of the variety. The soil on the site should be nutritious, loose, well-drained. Almost all varieties of violets require neutral or slightly acidic soil.

Many varieties of viola grown in backyard floriculture can be easily propagated by dividing the bush. The procedure is carried out in the spring, before the phase of mass flowering. It is allowed to divide adult plants in the second half of summer, immediately after the end of mass flowering (flowering of violets of the second year of life occurs around April, simultaneously with crocuses, popular in our country).

In the conditions of indoor floriculture, violets can be grown in two ways. The first method of planting is more complicated, but quick - immersing the leaves directly into the nutrient soil substrate. Less in a complicated way reproduction is the preliminary rooting of the leaves in water, followed by planting in a nutrient soil mixture. This method is most often used by beginner amateur flower growers.

Features of care

Viola rightfully belongs to non-capricious flowering crops. But still, like any flowering plant, violet should be properly cared for:

• the standard distance between the bushes of decorative viola when planting should be approximately 10-15 cm, closer cultivation may adversely affect the flowering of the plant;
• abundant flowering is possible in the presence of good lighting, but the plant should be shaded from too strong sunlight, which will protect the culture at the flowering stage from fading and help maintain decorativeness;
• watering should be regular and uniform, therefore it is absolutely impossible to allow both overdrying and excessive waterlogging of the soil around the root system;
• for getting abundant flowering the plant should be fed correctly and in a timely manner: when growing viola in greenhouse conditions, fertilizers are applied weekly, and for flowering plants cultivated in open ground, top dressing with complex fertilizers should be done approximately once every three weeks.

On the winter period, especially in regions with insufficiently favorable soil and climatic conditions for flowering crops, it is advisable to cover the plants with spruce branches or dry foliage. It is very important to remove the shelter in a timely manner in the spring, which will insure the decorative culture from decay.

Violet tricolor: useful properties (video)

Use in landscape design

Pansies are one of the most popular flowering biennials among both amateur gardeners and municipal landscapers and experienced breeders. Various varietal forms of violets are widely used in group plantings, as well as mixborders, flower beds and flower beds. IN last years the plant is very actively grown in flowerpots and special containers, and is also popular for decorating alpine slides.

Growing ampelous viola in hanging planters makes it relatively easy to decorate balconies and loggias, as well as gazebos. In stony compositions on backyard and summer cottages look very harmonious miniature varieties violets. Fragrant varietal forms and hybrids are most often used for decoration in the trunk circles of large trees. Volzhanka violet, as well as geranium and rogersia, complement very effectively.

In the gardening world, the viola plant is very popular. There are a large number of varieties and types of viola, popularly known as pansies.

The wide distribution of these wonderful flowers is due to their beauty and variety of colors and shapes. Viola flowers delight with a long flowering period with the right perfect planting and subsequent care - from early spring to late autumn.

Did you know? Viola has been known for a very long time - more than two and a half thousand years. At that time, the ancient peoples of Europe used these flowers for decoration during the holidays.

Where to plant a viola, choosing a place for a flower

Viola belongs to the Violet family, which is why it is also called garden violet. The plant is annual, biennial, and also perennial. Depending on the variety of viola flowers, planting and cultivation can be carried out even on the balcony, providing it with proper care.

Outdoors, a high flower bed will be an ideal place for a viola, as it meets the needs of the plant for moisture and lighting.

What kind of lighting and temperature does the viola like

These flowers grow best in a cool place, but they also need plenty of light. Consequently, the right choice for planting a viola and further care in the open field, there will be places with slightly shaded areas.

For example, under young trees, which will not cover the main part of the lighting with leaves, but will protect from the dry influence of the direct rays of the sun. At home, a balcony on the west or east side is suitable.

If there is not enough light for the viola, then the flowering will not be so plentiful, and the flowers themselves will be small and not so bright.

What should be the soil for planting

The best type of soil for pansies is loamy soil, fertile and moist.

Important!Stagnation of moisture is detrimental to the viola, as it leads to rotting of the roots.

The soil for planting must be drained and loosened. Fresh humus cannot be used as a fertilizer, so superphosphate or ammonium nitrate is suitable.

Also, peat is ideal for viola as a soil, as it retains heat, moisture does not stagnate in it. In addition, peat contains the nutrients needed by the viola, so gardeners often use peat tablets to germinate plants.

How to plant pansies

Most often, viola is planted in open ground. This happens in April-May, as the plant loves coolness. The proportions for the soil are better to choose the following:

• sod land - 2 parts;
• peat - 2 parts;
• humus - 2 parts;
• sand - 1 part.

Do not forget about drainage, crushed coal can perform its function. You should also choose a place without close groundwater to avoid stagnant water at the roots of the pansies.

It is fairly easy to follow the basic rules of how to plant viola flowers outdoors and how to care for them afterwards.

Holes are prepared for seedlings (the distance between them is 10-15 cm), flowers are placed there, then they are sprinkled with earth, the soil is lightly tamped around and watered.

Different varieties are best planted separately from each other, because the plant is cross-pollinated.

Did you know?The fragrant violet was introduced into the culture first, and then the mountain violet. Breeders bred the first violet hybrids in 1683.

Viola care rules

Often gardeners think about how to grow a beautiful and healthy viola. To do this, you need to regularly remove the flowers that wilted. In addition, mulching the roots of the plant in hot weather will help prolong the flowering of pansies. Be sure to also remove ripe seed pods.

If the viola blooms worse, few new buds form, then you can cut the plant, while leaving the length of the stems about 10 cm. After that, it is necessary to water and feed the viola abundantly, which will allow it to quickly grow young shoots and bloom with renewed vigor.

How to properly water pansies

Often in the heat, the reason for the drying of the roots is their close location to the soil surface. Therefore, garden violets should be watered regularly, but not too plentifully so that the roots do not rot. Optimal - 2-3 times a week, and in the heat it is possible to water the viola every day.

Fertilizer and top dressing of flowers

Viola should be fertilized once a month. To do this, use superphosphate or ammonium nitrate at the rate of 25-30 g per square meter. There are also special complex fertilizers containing potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, microelements. Such fertilizers are sold in stores and used according to the instructions.

soil care

Viola flowers are unpretentious, but during cultivation it is necessary to keep the soil in a certain condition. Since the roots are close to the surface - at a depth of only 15-20 cm, timely watering and loosening of the soil is needed to allow air to enter the roots. In addition, it is important to remove weeds from the site where the viola grows in time.

Viola breeding methods

If you want to get a new viola plant with beautiful flowers on your own, you should choose a method for growing that is suitable and appropriate for your capabilities. Among them are propagation by seeds, cuttings of pansies, as well as propagation by layering.

Did you know? Pansies are divided into large-flowered (the flower diameter of this variety is 10 cm), and multi-flowered - varieties with small flowers with a diameter of about 6 cm.

Reproduction by seeds

Viola can be grown from seeds. Sowing occurs in several terms, depending on when you want to get flowering.

Sowing pansies in January-February, you will see the first flowers by the end of spring. However, in an apartment it is difficult to get good seedlings, as the sown seeds need coolness and an abundance of light.

If you sow viola seeds in March, then flowering will begin in late July - August. On the next year already in early spring, both those and other plants will give good flowering.

If sowing is carried out in the summer, flowers will also appear as early as next year in the spring. However, in summer time you can sow directly in open ground, bypassing the cultivation of seedlings at home.

Exist general rules for sowing viola seeds:

1. Seeds are poured on moist soil, lightly sprinkled with earth on top.
2. The temperature at which the seedlings stand should be 15-20 ° C. It is necessary to maintain constant sufficient moisture.
3. Seedlings should be in a dark place until shoots appear.
4. After 10-14 days, the seeds will sprout, then you need to provide good lighting, and lower the temperature to 10 ° C.
5. After 2-3 weeks, it is necessary to dive seedlings.

Did you know? Many varieties of viola self-sow from mature seed pods.

Reproduction by cuttings

Cuttings of pansies are carried out in late spring - early summer in several stages:

• green shoots are cut from the top of the bush, on which there should be 2-3 knots;
• these shoots are planted on a plot in the shade to a depth of 0.5 cm. They should be close to each other;
• cuttings are watered abundantly, sprayed.

Rooting occurs in a month. From one bush, you can take about 10 cuttings at a time. If you decide to propagate the viola with cuttings closer to autumn, then flowering will appear the next year in the spring. If in the spring, then pansies will bloom by the end of summer.

chief positive moment this method of reproduction is the rejuvenation of the bush and the improvement of flowering as a result.

Which is known to many under the name " ”, grows most beautiful if it is grown from seeds. You can decorate your balcony or garden for minimal money, because viola seeds are very cheap compared to grown seedlings. Seeds can be sown both in special seedling containers and in open ground.

Viola: the choice of seeds for planting

Some gardeners and summer residents complain that the viola crop either did not live up to expectations, or did not rise at all. But often the cause of such consequences must be sought deeper than in insufficient feeding or inappropriate climatic conditions.

The whole problem may lie in the initially bad acquired seeds. Next, we will share with you how to avoid buying low-quality planting material:

• Buy seeds from the store as early as possible. Do not delay until the moment when the assortment remains minimal.
• Plan in advance where you will plant your viola. This will help you with calculations and save money. Of course, there is an option when the seeds can be purchased with a margin if they need to be resowed.
• Look carefully at the expiration date, which is indicated on the pack. Take those that have at least a year's supply left.
• Do not go for the bright design. Beautiful design does not mean the best quality, and the cost of such seeds is usually much more expensive.

Previously, only a few color schemes of violets could be found: blue, purple and yellow. To date, breeders have brought out many more different colors.

Now you can meet and buy viols from white color to almost black. Most Popular decorative varieties, which are most suitable for amateur gardeners, are the following:

• Varieties from the series " station wagon»begin early and bloom very profusely.
• Varieties from the series " Hemalis» are well adapted to wintering and have a wide range of colors from white to purple.
• Variety " Rococo» with corrugated flower petals.
• Variety " Swiss giant» grows in low bushes with massive flowers.

Important!In order for the purchased seeds to correspond to the characteristics that are stated on the packages, you need to buy them only from trusted sellers and manufacturers. In this case, the viola will produce gorgeous flowers all season long.

When is the best time to sow pansies?

Viola can be either biennial or perennial. Any of the types and varieties of viola can be grown using one of the three schemes. How to plant pansie seeds, we will consider further.

First method- this is sowing with the calculation of flowering for the next year in open soil. This is the traditional pattern often recommended on viola seed packs. essence this method next: seeds are sown in the ground in August or September. During the autumn, the flower rises, grows stronger, and a powerful root system manages to form in it.

Thus, young pansies are already ready for wintering. Viola begins to bloom by mid-spring in April. Flowering lasts until frost.

Second method- this is the planting of viola seeds for seedlings with the calculation of its flowering in the same year. There is an erroneous opinion that the viola blooms only in the second year after planting the seeds. Its flowering can occur as early as the first summer. You just need to sow the seeds in advance - at the end of winter or early spring.

It is advisable to use backlighting. So pansies will bloom already in the third month after sowing, that is, in May or June, at the same time as other summers. Viola can bloom throughout the summer period.

For this to happen, you need to choose the right place for landing: without direct sun and scorching heat. Then green flower it will go to winter and bloom again next spring. Viola grown from seeds planted in spring is suitable for planting in open soil or balcony boxes.

Third Method- sowing viola seeds in summer in open ground with the aim of flowering in the same year. You can sow the seeds of pansies directly into the ground in May-June. Viola blooms in August-September. Viola leaves for the winter with flowers, and in early spring she's starting to bloom again.

Did you know?Breeders have bred hybrid types of violets that can bloom from spring to autumn. For them, annual cultivation technologies were specially developed.

Preparing the soil for planting

The seeds of the future plant are sown in any containers suitable for this: pots, containers food products, cassettes. Prepare loose soil with good drainage capacity - this is very important property for future seedlings of viola, which suffers greatly from a lack of moisture in the soil.

In order for the viola to bloom beautiful flowers in the future, it must be grown from seeds in just such soil. Such a mixture can be prepared independently according to the following scheme: you need to take fertile garden soil, peat, humus in a ratio of 2: 2: 1.

Pour the soil into the seedling container. It is very convenient to grow seedlings of pansies in peat tablets which are previously placed in plastic cassettes.

Did you know?The fruits of violets are very original. The three-winged boll leans downward on the pedicel during the maturation period until many seeds have matured in it. Then it rises up, bursts and violently spews out seeds with a diameter of more than five meters.

Viola planting technology (pansies)

First option sowing is traditional with incorporation into the ground. According to this scheme, viola sprouts are supposed to germinate in the dark. Therefore, again, traditionally, viola seeds are embedded in the soil. If you want to do everything according to this scheme, then proceed as follows:

1. Plow the prepared soil with your finger to a depth of half a centimeter. The distance between them should be one centimeter.
2. Put the seeds in the grooves with an equal distance of two centimeters, and sprinkle the grooves. Water the seeds.
3. Cover the container with plantings with a film in order to create a humid microclimate.
4. Twice a day, open the mini-greenhouse for ten minutes. This will ventilate the soil. Otherwise, the top soil layer may become moldy.
5. Put the container with seedlings in a warm place with a temperature of about 25 ° C. Remember that lighting is not important for the viola until its first shoots have appeared. You can even put the container in a dark pantry or on a sunny windowsill.

Second option popular among flower growers and it does not involve embedding in the ground. In this case, sprouts appear much faster, because they do not need to expend energy breaking through the soil layer.
But there is one important point: viola, by its nature, germinates in the dark, so after sowing, the container with seeds must be taken to a dark place. Planting pansy seeds is done as follows:

1. Moisten the soil well warm water about 35 °C.
2. Lay the seeds on its surface in increments of a couple of centimeters.
3. Cover the container with transparent material and ventilate the soil regularly.
4. Place the seeds in a warm place or just cover with cardboard.

Important!It should be remembered that the greater the distance between the seeds, the later the plant will need a pick.

Third option is a cross between the previous two. How to plant viola seedlings using this "intermediate" option? This is done in the following way:

1. Sow the seeds as in the first option.
2. Sprinkle them on top with soil or sand, literally one centimeter.
3. Pour warm water over everything.
4. Cover the container with transparent material and ventilate regularly.
5. Put in a warm place. Don't worry about lighting, it doesn't matter.

Did you know?Violas were the favorite flowers of the French Empress Josephine, who was married to Napoleon Bonaparte. They were also loved by the famous actress, and also from France, Sarah Bernhardt. They were admired by the German literary genius Goethe and the Russian classic Turgenev.

How to create optimal conditions for successful growth

- the flower is unpretentious in care, therefore, the initial cultivation of it from seeds rests only on the question of when to plant. Viola seeds can be sown in different dates to choose from. It all depends on exactly when you need it to bloom.

The earliest can be planted in February. The first step in growing seedlings is to provide them with comfortable conditions. In this case, it is necessary to sow seeds only in closed ground. The selected container for planting must be filled with pre-fertilized and moistened soil.

As fertilizers, you can use superphosphate or ammonium nitrate.

Spread the seeds evenly in the container and moisten with a sprinkler. After planting, cover tightly with cellophane film, creating a greenhouse effect, and leave in a cool place at a temperature of about 22 ° C for a week.

Did you know?In ancient Rome, viols were present at every celebration. The Latin proverb "in viola esse", which literally means "to lie on violets", that is, to be blessed.

Rules for the care of seedlings

As we have said, viola seeds, by their very nature, sprout best in the dark. Monitor the level of soil moisture and carefully loosen it so as not to damage the sprouts. When to dive viola after germination?

A week later, the seeds should give the first shoots. When the first leaves appear, you can already perform this procedure. It is absolutely not difficult, the main thing is to keep a distance between sprouts of 5-6 centimeters. This is followed by similar care: moistening the soil, feeding with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, a cool and dark place.

(violet garden) - a plant that is worth getting acquainted with novice amateur gardeners. Viola flowers look like bright summer butterflies, with wings of red, blue, yellow, white, black shades. Some varieties planted in groups resemble funny faces from afar. If you look at such a flower close up, you can clearly see in its center a bright yellow eye, framed by strokes-cilia. For this similarity among the people, some violas (or, to be more precise, tricolor violets and Wittrock violas) are called pansies.

To get started, to grow such a miracle on the balcony or in the garden, you need to purchase seedlings or on your own. And then, in order for the viola to bloom and delight you all summer and autumn, learn how to properly care for it. All the nuances about growing viola on the balcony and in the garden, read on.

If you want to know how to grow a viola, then pay attention to its character.

Pansies - a trouble-free plant that blooms profusely on balconies and flower beds

Viola is not capricious, but you also need to be able to find an approach to her. Viola care involves the following factors:

1. Lighting and temperature

Abundant flowering of the viola is possible only with good lighting. It is positively related to diffused sunlight and direct rays. But! There must be a measure in everything. If the summer in your area is hot, then the viola will burn out in the midday sun. The viola treats the spring midday rays favorably, and the summer ones are too hot for her. Therefore, if a hot summer is predicted, do not plant the viola in open sunny areas. South balconies are also not suitable. Rather, the viola will grow and even bloom, but only before the onset of heat, on average - until July. Later, you will have to get rid of the bushes, as their decorative effect will disappear (there will be no flowering, the leaves will turn yellow and dry).

The best place for pansies is sunny areas, but with shading in the midday hours. Morning or evening direct sunlight will only benefit the viola. That is, ideally, violas need partial shade, with a lot of diffused light. In this case, the leaves remain juicy, green until autumn, do not fade. Flowers do not shrink (this often happens when growing viola in the shade, without direct sunlight). You will get a win-win growing result by planting a viola in an openwork shade young tree. Or near any screen (fence, bush, flower plantings) that casts a shadow over the viola at noon. Western and eastern balconies are also suitable.

Viola grown in partial shade

Viola develops well in the cool. Ideal temperatures for her are 10-25°C. It withstands, without loss of decorativeness, and short-term cold up to 3-5 ° C. But the heat affects the viola badly, so often in hot summers (especially when grown in sunny areas) there is a break in flowering. The second wave of flowering in this case is possible, but only in autumn.

2. Watering

Viola does not tolerate prolonged drying. Therefore, you need to water it often, without waiting until the ground near the roots turns into stone. But swamps should not be planted either! Viola is very demanding on the amount of moisture consumed. With its excess, the roots of the plant begin to rot and rot, the viola dies.

3. Top dressing

In order for the viola to bloom all summer, it needs regular top dressing. When growing viola on a balcony, that is, in closed ground, it is necessary to fertilize the soil every week. If the flowers grow in open ground (on the site), the frequency of fertilization can be reduced to 1 time in 3-4 weeks.

Viola at home develops best on open sunny balconies. Worse - on glazed balconies and loggias. Some flower growers manage to grow violas even on windowsills, but in this case it is necessary that the window be constantly open. Availability a large number light and fresh air- a mandatory component for the cultivation of any garden plant.

Viola develops well indoors in the presence of fresh air and plenty of light.

Viola planting at home is carried out in flower pots, balcony boxes. Ampel forms - in hanging baskets, planters, tall flowerpots on a leg. Any container chosen must have drainage holes.

Ampel varieties of viola look spectacular in hanging baskets

Since the roots of violas are prone to rotting, when planting, special attention should be paid to a good drainage layer. To do this, a layer of drainage material (expanded clay, brick shards, polystyrene) is poured at the bottom of the selected container at least 2-3 cm thick. Soil is poured on top - it must be loose, moisture- and breathable.

Keep a distance of 10-15 cm between the violas, otherwise strong specimens will oppress the weak ones and force them out of the composition

Seedlings of violas are planted at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other, while at least 1-2 liters of soil must be allocated for each specimen of the plant.

When growing violas in closed ground, you need to monitor the regularity of watering. hot summer days watering should be carried out 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening.

The first dressing is applied 2 weeks after transplanting into the ground. Further, it is necessary to fertilize the violas at home every week. Any mineral complex fertilizers for flowering are suitable for fertilizer.

During hot days, a viola in a pot can lose its decorative look. Most often, the stems turn yellow and dry, the bush falls apart, flowering becomes less abundant, the flowers fade and decrease in size. Then the viol must be cut. Usually it is shortened by half the length of the stems. But if the bush has already lost any decorative value, pruning can be done dramatically, leaving 5-6 cm from the branches (there must be leaves on them!). Already after 2-2.5 weeks, the viol bush will overgrow with young shoots and bloom.

Viola pruning and subsequent flowering: before and after photos

Pansies: outdoor care

In the garden, viola seedlings are planted in late spring, when the threat of night frost has passed. Although viola is a hardy plant, its seedlings are too tender. Especially the one grown at home. Therefore, it is better not to take risks and time the planting of seedlings for warm and sunny spring days.

The distance between the viola bushes is 10-15 cm. It is useful to throw a handful of baking powder (vermiculite, perlite, sand) into each hole dug under the plant, especially if the ground in the area is dense.

Top dressing for violas growing in the garden can be applied 1 time in 1-4 weeks. On some soils, flowers require fertilization every week, on others - once a month. It depends on the initial fertility of the soil.

Viola outdoors

Viola in winter: a few nuances about wintering viola

In winter, it is advisable to cover the violas growing in the garden with spruce branches or dry leaves, and open them in early spring so that there is no dampening. The flowering of plants of the second year of life begins in April, at the same time as crocuses.

Violas grown indoors winter differently. Usually their life cycle ends in autumn, with the onset of frost. However, if there is a desire to save the plant for the next year, then why not? You can do one of two options:

Option number 1. Violas are dug out of pots, planted in the ground in August-September. Before frost, the plant will have time to take root and acclimatize. 2-3 weeks before the expected frost, it is advisable not to let such violas bloom so as not to weaken them. For the winter, plants should be covered with spruce branches or leaves.

Option number 2. Bring the viola pot into a cool, bright room. For example, on a warmed balcony or veranda. The optimum wintering temperature is 5-15°C. In the spring, the preserved uterine bushes are cut and new young plants are grown.

Viola is better known as Pansies, which is just one of the varieties. The plant is very common for growing in flower beds. In our latitudes, Viola is presented as an annual plant, pleasing with its bright petals almost all summer. There are over 400 varieties of this delicate plant.

plant description

They belong to the Violet family and before cultivation grew mainly in mountainous areas, where temperate climate. Most often this is the Northern Hemisphere, but they were also found in subtropical Brazil and even in tropical Australia and South Africa, the islands of New Zealand and the Sandwich Islands.

Its beautiful open buds were noticed even before our era and were used as decoration of festive wreaths, garlands on the streets and in houses. The first records of the cultivation of these violets date back to 1683. Since the 19th century, Viola has appeared in Europe, and is increasingly popularized, cultivated and "gives birth" to new varieties.

Viola is considered a low herbaceous plant - 15-30 centimeters. The flower on the spur is solitary with a long peduncle. The color of the opened bud is incredibly diverse, as is the diameter of the flower. The variety depends on the size, shape and color, and there are already a great many of them.

The plant is not particularly capricious and even easily tolerates a transplant during flowering. The flowering period is quite large - either from August to frost, or from the second half of March until the very end of May. Flowers love spaces open to the sun, but still a strong sun burns Viola. Feels quite comfortable in the shade, but the flowers are a little smaller and turn pale.

Species and varieties

All varieties of these violets cannot be listed immediately. But there are differences in appearance and size that form the Viola species. Each species has its own unique varieties. This plant also has a distinction in flower diameter: small-flowered (up to 6 centimeters), medium-flowered (up to 7.5 centimeters), large-flowered (up to 8.5 centimeters), giants (more than 8.5 centimeters).

Tricolor

This Viola tricolor is also called Wild Pansies. The flowers are small - 1.5 centimeters in diameter. Most often yellow, blue, white, purple. The middle is yellow. It blooms for a very long time - from the first warming in April until September.

Tricolor

It is characterized by unpretentiousness, as it grows remarkably even on poor soils. Refers to annual or biennial plants, but can survive the winter, losing its decorative effect. It is considered not only an ornament, but also a medicinal herb.

Horned

Viola cornuta already belongs to perennial flowers that do not lose their decorative effect over the years. However, everything will depend on its frost resistance, and most hybrids cannot boast of this. They grow well both in open ground and in pots. Flowering can be enjoyed from warming in April until the very first frost.

It stands out among other Viols with a slightly curved spur behind the bud, 10-15 centimeters long. This spur is somewhat similar to the spur of aconites or delphiniums.. The flowers are also small - up to 3-x-5 centimeters. They also have a yellow eye, and the petals are purple, lilac and blue.

Some varieties come in other, brighter colors - from white and cream, to yellow and red tones.

The most famous varieties:

• Hansa;
• Columbine;
• Alba;
• etain;
• Boughton Blue.

Viola Wittrock

This species is just known as Pansies and was bred as a hybrid of the Tricolor, Horned, Altai and Yellow Viols. Viola Wittrockiana has flowers of various diameters - from 6 to 11 centimeters. Petals are always bright, may have strokes, veins and spots.

The best varieties:

• F1 Cristal Bowl White;

F1 Cristal Bowl White

• Firnengold;
• bambini;
• Tangenne;
• Majestic Giant II Sherry;
• Delta Pure Deep Orange;
• pure white;
• Maxim Marina;
• Skyline Orange;
• Reingold.

The Universal Series stands out separately. The flowers are mostly mid-flowered with a wide variety of colors. Flowering in Pansies is long - from the first heat to frost, but much depends on the variety. The variety also affects the "life span" of the whole plant.

Wittrock Ampelnaya

This variety was bred not so long ago, but it is distinguished by its magnificence. A whole cushion of Pansies that hangs amazingly from the pot. This variety is best grown in a pot to reveal all the beauty.

It belongs to two-year-olds, but can please with flowering in the first year. In the second year after sowing, it blooms very early and blooms all summer.

Viola Williams

Another incredible hybrid is Viola williamsii. This two-year-old was bred from crossing Pansies and Viola Horned. The growth of the stem of this Viola is up to 30 centimeters, and the flowers are 3-4 centimeters. The color of the petals is as varied as that of Wittrock, but there is no familiar “face” around the “eye”. Varieties are found both bush and ampelous:

• Pearl Falls;

pearl waterfall

• Amber kiss;
• Froze chocolate;
• Sparkler.

moth

Viola Sosria, also called Motylkovaya, is a shrub violet and perennial. Viola sororia can grow up to 20 centimeters. It usually blooms once in mid-spring, but may re-bloom in late summer. The bush itself is quite compact on which buds up to 2.5 centimeters bloom. The characteristic color of the petals is white, blue-violet, white-blue.

There are varieties:

• Albiflora;
• freeckles;
• Ruba.

Fragrant Viola

Viola odorata is characterized by a rich fragrant smell, which earned it its name. It was taken as a basis by the cosmetics industry in many industries. It can grow for several years, but loses its decorative effect. very unusual in its appearance, and the flowers are only up to 2 centimeters.

It is found in different shades: white, purple, blue, yellow, pink, red, purple.

Flowering falls in the middle of spring, occasionally blooms again at the end of summer. The bushes themselves are up to 15 centimeters in height, but with dense planting, they form a magnificent carpet. It can be grown both at home and in open ground.

Known varieties:

• La France;
• Marie Louise;
• Coeur d'Alsace;
• Lydia Groves;
• Orchid Pink;
• Ashvale Blue;
• Alba.

The variety of Viols is impressive, which is why they are very popular. They are grown not only in home gardens and flower beds, but also decorate the streets of the city. In general, the plant is unpretentious and quite easy to grow from seed.

Growing from seed

Growing from seeds gives an advantage in the speed of growth and maturation of the flower. When germinating seeds, Viola can bloom as early as mid-spring. It is better to engage in germination in February, soaking the seeds in any biostimulant. The stimulating drug is diluted according to the instructions for this stimulant. Seeds must be soaked overnight.

At this time, you can do the tank and soil. Any container is suitable, but it is better to take a special soil - violet. He meets in flower shops. For convenience, make grooves in the container with soil and sow the seeds in them and, at the end, sprinkle each beard with soil. After pour everything with settled water and cover the container.

Glass or thick film is suitable for covering. Place the container in a room with a temperature within +15°C.

Sowing

It is quite possible to sow Viola in open ground. Best time- May. When sowing holes, 2-3 seeds are placed in each. And the number of seeds per furrow is calculated as 50-60 pieces per meter of furrow. It is not necessary to sow deeply - 0.5-0.7 centimeters is enough.

From above, the seeds are sprinkled with earth and watered. Sprouts appear quite quickly, but it is advisable to cover them with a film. So the sun will not be scorching for them. As soon as the sprouts are 2 weeks old, you can safely remove the film.

seedling care

Seedlings also appear quite quickly. In a week or a maximum of one and a half, the first Violas will turn green. Then you need to remove the film or glass. It is advisable to move the entire container to a place even cooler - there should be a temperature not higher than + 10 ° C. The light is desirable diffused and any bright5 rays are contraindicated.

At this time, it is very important to monitor the soil moisture - it must not be overdried and flooded. It should just always be wet. It should be fertilized twice a month with complex mineral fertilizers.

picking

Picking causes a lot of controversy among flower growers and opinions are divided into 2 fronts. Some argue that picking is required for the first time, when Viola formed 2 true leaves. And the second is needed in a couple of weeks. And it should be carried out according to the scheme 6 by 6.

The second side claims that the second pick is completely superfluous, because the role of the second pick is performed by the landing itself in the ground. Therefore, the plant is not always dived for the second time. And transplanting can take place even when Viola blooms. And she will continue to bloom.

Landing in open ground

The landing time depends on the climate, but usually it is April-May. In order for Viola to please you with flowering for as long as possible, it is better to choose a sunny place for her. However, it is important that at least a few hours a day, a shadow still falls on the place of Viola's growth. If there is no such place, then it can be planted in a shaded place. It's just that the color of the petal will be less saturated, and the diameter of the bud itself will become a little smaller.

It is important to prepare the soil. For Viola, a combination of crushed (not very finely) coal, dry bird droppings or humus is ideal. Moreover, for 10 parts of the earth, only 2 parts of each fertilizer are needed. Coal will not only fertilize, but also perform the functions of drainage.

Another composition of peat, humus, soddy soil and sand is also suitable. You need to take one part of sand, and two of all other components. It is important that Viola does not grow somewhere in the lowlands or close to groundwater. The roots of the beauty do not tolerate the abundance of moisture and stagnant water.

Landing in the ground

There are no special recommendations for the landing itself. The location of the plants depends on the size of the future bush. For mid-flowered, it is enough to leave 10-15 centimeters between the holes. It is advisable to prepare the wells in advance. Viola is placed there, the roots are sprinkled with earth and must be watered.

Care

It should immediately be noted that every 3 years Viola must be transplanted. In the process of transplanting, the bushes should be divided among themselves so that the plant does not grow much, and the flowers do not shrink, losing their decorative effect. Many varieties of Viol are perfectly propagated by cuttings.

Of the features of care, it is important to maintain the earth in a loose state and in sufficient moisture. If the climate is not very hot, then additional watering is not necessary. In hot weather, you will have to water additionally. Loosening is necessary because of the shallow root system. It only grows up to 15-20 centimeters in depth. Weeds must be disposed of so that the flower could receive all the necessary substances from the soil.

It is advisable to fertilize the soil once a month. Let's approach superphosphate or ammonium nitrate: about 25-30 grams of fertilizer per square meter.

Diseases and pests

Caring for Viola is completely uncomplicated. And its observance prevents the appearance of diseases in the plant. To a greater extent, Viola is not susceptible to diseases, but problems such as:

• powdery mildew. It looks like a gray or whitish coating on leaves, stems and buds. It usually occurs due to the gardener's passion for nitrogen fertilizers or from using only them. It is solved by spraying a solution of ordinary soda ash with soap or ground sulfur. Fundazol can also help. With prolonged Viola illness, repeat spraying after a couple of weeks;

powdery mildew

• black rot or gray leg. Provoked by wrong temperature regime cultivation, soil moisture and air. Only the normalization of growing conditions can help here. All diseased plants will have to be removed. The land where the "epidemic" occurred must be treated with foundationazole;
• spotting. Because of it, the whole flower weakens, and the leaves dry. In this case, only healthy bushes can be saved, and it is desirable to burn all damaged ones altogether. The entire garden can be at risk if spotting is ignored. Treat undamaged Violas with Bordeaux liquid several times with a break of a couple of weeks.

Of the insects, you should be wary of several caterpillars: mother-of-pearl violet and clover scoop. Both die from spraying tobacco infusion or chlorophos. Other pests Violam are not afraid.

Viola after flowering

You can collect seeds after flowering at the very end of summer or early autumn. In place of bright flowers, small boxes appear, where the seeds were formed. As soon as this box "turned" up - the seeds can be collected. All boxes are cut, seeds are taken out and dried indoors. It is advisable to store them in the refrigerator.

Seed collection

When seeds are left on flowers, spontaneous self-seeding often occurs. It is impossible to predict where young Violas will appear, but you can notice them even in autumn. They can "hatch" in the spring. In this case, Violas can be threaded and planted, which greatly facilitates the process of growing flowers.

For the winter, covering with foliage or spruce branches is enough. Some varieties are resistant to temperatures down to -30°C. All one-year-olds are simply removed.

Video

An example of growing viola from seeds, see the video

Conclusion

Viola - non-capricious and incredible beautiful plant. This beauty is suitable for any area. With it, it is possible to create incredible "carpets" and even entire compositions. Perennial varieties will support your idea every weight, ampel varieties will decorate any planter, and fragrant varieties will enchant with aromas.