Pansy, Heart's Ease, Ladies Delight, Stepmother's Flower, Pansy
Viola x wittrockiana
Family: Violaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Blue, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Early spring, Early winter, Late fall, Late spring, Mid fall, Mid spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling.
Viola x wittrockiana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a medium rate. It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.2
Where it is found
Not known in the wild.
A hybrid species of garden origin.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Young leaves and flower buds - raw, cooked or used as a garnish. A stronger flavour than most other members of this genus. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra. Some caution is advised if the plant has yellow flowers since these can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities. A tea can be made from the leaves.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Massing. Prefers a cool moist well-drained humus-rich soil in partial or dappled shade and protection from scorching winds. Tolerates sandstone and limestone soils but becomes chlorotic if the pH is too high. Prefers a pH between 6 and 6.5. A hybrid species of garden origin, there are many named forms selected for their ornamental value. There is at least one cultivar selected for its edible qualities. All members of this genus have more or less edible leaves and flower buds, though those species with yellow flowers can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities. Special Features:Suitable for cut flowers.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. This species is a hybrid, so might not breed true from seed. Division in the autumn or just after flowering. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though we have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist