Viola, Tufted Pansy 'Blue Perfection' (Viola cornuta)

Viola, Tufted Pansy 'Blue Perfection'
Viola cornuta

Blue Perfection Cornuta Viola. Seward, Alaska. Early July 2004,

Hello Weez,

I just came across this photo when I was doing a search for blue, late-blooming perennials. Is this the perennial version you have in these pots, or the annual? How did you like it?
Great pic; thanks for posting it.

~Shannon

Gee, Shannon, I didn't know there was any difference. I think cornutas are probably perennial somewhere, but we grow them as self-seeding annuals around here. I got the seeds from Stokes. They have a nice section of reasonably priced cornutas. These seem a bit paler than the other versions I have seen on the web.

These were really nice little fellows. They were somewhere between a large-bloomed pansy and what I consider to be violas... like Johnny Jump ups. They bloomed profusely all summer. The color looked extremely good with yellow flowers, as well.

I didn't know there was any such thing as perennial violas either, until I noticed both categories listed in the PF entry. Glad to hear they're self-seeding; I planted some deep purple violas (I don't know their proper name) in our vegetable garden last year, and really hope they come back! The ones you have look really cute; I think I'll get some.

Thanks,
Shannon

Viola being the genus name, I guess they are all technically violas, but pansies are often listed separately from violas in the catalogs. Baa has a good understanding of this and has explained it patiently to me several times, but I'm still unsure about it. As for perennial or annual, I think it is often a climate thing. I've had pansies winter over here in protected areas, but seldom the little johnny jump ups.

By the way, the viola genus is really prone to cross pollination, so your offspring may vary a great deal from the original, especially if you have several kinds growning in proximity. That's one of the things I find most fascinating about the little fellows... so many surprises! I have a south bed that always has violas in it because they drop so much seed. I never plant them there anymore, but leave the bed undisturbed until they can start to come up in the spring. Then I move them toward the front of the bed for a nice border.

That's so neat! I want a viola nursery too. I know just the spot - and only 4 months until I'll be able to dig in the ground....sigh.

This is great info; thanks a lot! :-)

All you need is a bed that doesn't need a lot of digging early in the spring. Once they are pop up and gain some size, you can move them wherever you like. Sometimes I find them growing out in the gravel driveway... they ask so little and give so much.