Violas are excellent front of border perennials that flower from spring till autumn, often with scented flowers. Many of them have started flowering now in our garden. The low mats of evergreen foliage require a tidy up after winter and some varieties self-seed. We acquired a whole range in white, blue or pink colours from Dove Cottage nurseries (see pictures, from top to bottom): Viola cornuta Victoria Cawthorne (pink, does not self-seed), Victoria's blush (pale pink, strongly reduced in winter, does not self-seed), Myfanwy (marbled mauve, only planted this year), Icy but Spicy (blue with black veins, only planted this year), Netta Stratham (silvery-grey/mauve, strong grower, self-seeds), Alba (white, strong grower, does not self-seed at our garden), and Belmont Blue (pale sky blue, strong grower, self-seeds). Most of the varieties that we have had seem long-lived, and perfectly hardy. I am hoping some of the seedlings that are cropping up near the parent plants might actually prove new hybrids.
Very nice!
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