Viola is the best variety. Annuals in containers: salvation for spring flower beds

Any gardener has tried to grow pansies from seeds for a flower bed. But not everyone succeeds in sprouting, which means the viola does not bloom in the garden. I have a similar situation.

Some plants purchased as seedlings propagated by self-sowing, but the seeds did not germinate. And I really like flowers. It turned out that at various stages of growing violets, certain conditions must be met.

I know that viola is one of the earliest and longest-blooming flowers. It is easy to grow in the garden in flower beds, ridges and on the balcony, and on any side of the world. It is considered a biennial plant, but I will tell you how to prolong flowering and make the violet perennial.

Viola belongs to the violet family. All over the globe, where there is a temperate climate, pansies grow, of which there are up to 700 species. There are especially many of them in the mountains.

An amazing plant with a beautiful inflorescence has attracted the attention of scientists. Back in the 17th century, breeders made attempts to develop a new variety, and they came up with fragrant and mountain violets.

Wittrock's garden viola, as the big-eyed flowers growing in central Russia are now called, was bred by crossing Altai, yellow and tricolor viola. Work on creating new varieties of pansies continues to this day. There are several hundred varieties in total.

Horned viola is also good in flower beds. Compared to the hybrid (Wittrock's viola), it has simple inflorescences. I will give you the differences using my own example.

• I bought seeds of frilled flowers Frizzle Sizzle F1 and pure white variety White Lady. On the bag in Latin it is written that the seed material is Wittrock's viola.
• Another variety of Sunrise in the Alps with red flowers without such a signature is viola hornata.

Fragrant violet is another type of viola, common in central Russia. The plant has flowers with a wonderful aroma and an original shape of inflorescences. The bush is compact.

How I grow flowers in my garden

There are pansies different varieties. They also have flowers of absolutely any color. They bloom from early spring to late autumn. They look good among tulips and next to lilies. For three years in a row, the Red Riding Hood variety decorated a small flowerbed. The flowers produced seeds and they sprouted.

Another variety of horned viola, Jolly Johnny, has been pleasing us for many years. Although the flowers are small, they sprouted quickly - growing from seeds did not cause any trouble. The seeds flew to the neighbors in the country, and now blue clouds of flowers also grow on their six hundred square meters. This variety reproduces well on its own. Plants grow on the site among onions, garlic, and strawberries. All that remains is to replant.

Neighborhood with other plants

• Violet is a low-growing plant. I plant in the foreground:
• I am making a clearing from one type of pansy.
• On an alpine hill I decorate the level with 1-2 plants.
• I plant with silvery plants: Coastal ragwort or common grass for contrast to show the beauty of each flower.

In the photo there is a variety of pansy called Jolly Johnny next to a clear one.

Once in winter, during the thaw period, the ground thawed from the snow, and pansies bloomed there. Seeing pansies in February is a miracle!

Plant rejuvenation

I often bought pansy seedlings in May. In autumn and next year the plant was losing appearance because of the overgrown stems that lay on the ground.

To extend the life of the plant, in the spring I cut off the shoots and fed the bush with mineral and organic fertilizers. Thanks to nutrition from the roots, the plant produced new shoots and the flower was revived to bloom in the new season.

It happened that the plant produced seeds and bushes of violets, which sprouted by self-sowing.

How to grow pansies correctly

This year I decided to learn the main mistakes when planting flower seeds. I decided to grow different varieties of pansies: pure white, red and ruffled purple. At the same time, I found out what kind of planting and care the green, cute wards require.

The first step is to plant fresh seeds. They have the best germination rate. For simple pansies, each bag contained 20 seeds, for corrugated ones - 5. Therefore, there was no time to hesitate. From acquisition seed material About a month passed before planting in the ground.

When purchasing, I pay attention to the expiration date. All seeds must be fresh and, as they say, with storage reserves.

Outdoor temperature

Different sources write the temperature for growing pansies differently. I waited for cool weather up to 22-23 degrees Celsius to grow flowers on the site. In the heat, the soil will dry out without our supervision, and then the work will be in vain, and the risk of not getting seedlings will increase.

Soaking the seeds

I have never soaked pansy seeds before. But after studying the experience on the forums, I concluded that the method speeds up and improves germination. My mistake - I put the seeds on a cotton pad, from which it was then difficult to remove the seeds. But then she came out of the situation - she rinsed it in a mug of water and the seeds ended up at the bottom.

Area for planting violets

"Anyutka" loves a sunny place. There you can see lush bushes and vigorous plant growth. Seeds are another matter. In hot weather they may become dry. Therefore, I chose for planting a lighted but slightly shaded area between the peony and the dahlia bush.

1. I weeded the ground, added humus and leveled it. Perennial garden viola loves well-drained soil.
2. Divided into three stripes for different varieties.
3. Spilled the ground.
4. I planted pre-soaked seeds.
5. Sprinkled it lightly with earth.
6. I carefully watered the soil in several passes using a garden watering can.

Then rain poured down on the ground. I also made sure the soil didn't dry out. A week later the seedlings sprouted. Along with the violet, weeds also appeared, so I waited until 2 pairs of leaves grew to identify the flower.

In August, when a bush 3-4 centimeters high had formed, I planted it on permanent place.

This video will complement your knowledge about growing pansies with seedlings:

Caring for pansies

Top dressing

Viola loves rich soil. Therefore, he treats feeding favorably. I boldly feed it with organic matter. A solution of green fertilizer gives young plants strength and stimulates abundant flowering.

I apply complex mineral fertilizer: nitrophoska or azofoska. You can sprinkle a handful on the ground. But I dilute the granules in water and water them at the root to make it faster. useful material penetrated into the ground to the root system of plants.

I alternate feedings:

• in the first week I add organic matter;
• after 1.5-2 weeks, complex mineral fertilizer.

Whenever possible, I treat pansies with wood ash. It provides plants with potassium and protects them from pests.

Attention! Under no circumstances bring in fresh organic fertilizers into the ground when planting pansies and when growing them!

Watering

In dry soil the plant weakens. I water the flower bushes regularly until the rainy season arrives. Then the bushes will get a second wind.

Viola flowers(garden violets) are not only the well-known pansies, amusing passers-by with funny “muzzles” on the petals. In fact, the genus Viola contains about 400-500 species of annual, biennial and perennial plants. When choosing viola varieties to grow as a potted crop or open ground plant, you usually choose several types. Let's talk about them in more detail.

Viola tricolor

Violet tricolor is a herbaceous plant, mostly growing wild. It is found in ravines, ditches, and meadows with acidic or neutral soil. Viola tricolor is often called wild pansy.

The plant forms small bushes, up to 15 cm high. The leaves are round, pointed at the end, collected in a rosette at the base of the bush. Peduncles with small flowers (up to 1.5 cm in diameter) at the ends rise from the rosette. The color of the flowers includes several shades: white, yellow, blue, purple.

Tricolor violet is unpretentious and can grow on poor, unfertilized soils.

Viola tricolor is considered an annual or biennial plant, although in fact it can “live” much longer, somewhat losing its decorativeness (this applies to almost all violas). Flowering - from April to September.

Tricolor violet is not only an ornamental plant, but also a medicinal plant. Used in dried form on its own or as part of herbal preparations.

Tricolor violet is a flower suitable for decorating a garden in a natural, natural style.

Horned viola (Viola cornuta)

Viola hornata is a perennial garden violet that can be grown for many years in a row without losing its decorative value. But! Its winter hardiness depends on the variety. Specific varieties overwinter without problems; hybrids (which are usually sold in bags of seeds) may be lost in cold winters.

Viola cornuta has a significant difference: a slightly curved spur, 10-15 mm long, located on the back side of the flower. Perennial delphiniums and aconites (wrestlers) have the same spur.

Viola hornata - perennial garden violet

The flowers of the horned viola are small - up to 3-5 cm in diameter. Species specimens are painted in modest shades of lilac, blue, violet with a constant yellow eye in the center. Hybrids are more diverse, among which there are varieties with blue, snow-white, cream, orange, yellow, and red flowers. The flowers have a pleasant aroma.

Horned viola is successfully used as a potted plant, in open ground - in borders and flower beds. However, when planting, it should be remembered that horned viola easily pollinates with other garden violets - viola tricolor, Wittrock's viola. The resulting hybrids may not be similar to the mother plants, which is not always appropriate in the planned flower arrangements.

Viola horned Azure Wing (hybrid)

Horned viola varieties:

• Alba – snow-white flowers;
• Boughton Blue – soft blue flowers with a white eye;
• Columbine - white and purple flowers with a bright yellow eye in the center;
• Etain – white-yellow flowers with a purple border;
• Hansa – deep blue-violet flowers;

Horned viola blooms all season: from April until frost. It propagates well by self-sowing, cuttings, and some varieties by dividing the bush. This type of viola should be sown in autumn or early spring, through seedlings.

Viola Wittrockiana

This is the most popular look viol. They are mainly offered to us in markets and flower shops. The Wittrock viola flower is a hybrid created by crossing tricolor violet (Viola tricolor), Altai viola (Viola altaica), yellow viola (Viola lutea), horned viola (Viola cornuta) and some other species. Viola Wittrock - this is it garden flowers pansies.

Wittrock viols are the most popular among viols. These are the ones we most often see on balconies and summer flower beds.

The erect bush of Wittrock's viola has dense branches and reaches up to 20-30 cm in height. The leaves are round-oval, with rounded teeth. The flowers are large (up to 6-11 cm in diameter), irregular in shape, of various shades, rising above the leaves. Petals are rarely monochromatic; more often, colored veins, strokes, and spots are clearly visible on them.

IN last years Ampelous varieties of Wittrock's viola have been bred. The lashes of such violas reach 30-40 cm, the flower - about 5 cm. Wittrock's ampelous violas are grown either in pots and hanging baskets, or as a ground cover capable of creating a flowering cushion with a diameter of up to 60-75 cm.

Viola Wittrock is traditionally considered a biennial. However, with early sowing (at the end of winter or early March), it blooms in the year of planting, along with other annuals - in May-June. When sown in autumn, Wittrock's viola blooms in the second year in early spring.

There are many varieties of Wittrock viola, some of which are combined into variety series. Here are some of them:

• Swiss giants are compact bushes with large flowers reaching 6-8 cm in diameter. The color is bright, multi-colored, with a traditional “eye” and a dark “butterfly” on the petals.
• Rococo is a variety series whose flowers have unusual corrugated petals. The size of the flowers is up to 6 cm. They are distinguished by bright colors, complemented by clear strokes and dark spots on the petals.
• Bambini is a very bright series, distinguished abundant flowering. Flowers can have different colors, a lot of delicate, pastel colors - bluish, pink, soft lilac, beige. In the central part of the flower there is a white or yellow “butterfly”. The flowers are quite large, reaching 6 cm in diameter.
• Majestic Giants Series F1 – giant flowers with a diameter of 9-10 cm? bright colors with a dark spot in the center in the form of a large bow. The next generation of Majestic - Super Majestic Giants SeriesF1 - has even more impressive flower sizes (11 cm).

Wittrock violas look especially impressive in mass plantings

Viola Williamsii

Viola Williams is a biennial hybrid obtained from crossing Wittrock's viola and horned viola. The stem of the Williams viola can reach 30 cm, the flowers are small - 3-4 cm. Their color is always bright, with strokes similar to the coloring of the flowers of the Wittrock viola, but without the characteristic “face”.

Ampelous Williams violas in flower pots

Among the varieties of Williams viola, there are not only bush forms, but also hanging forms.

Popular varieties:

• “Pearl Falls” - ampelous viola, many white and blue flowers, pleasant smell.
• "Bengal fire" - ampelous viola, yellow-burgundy butterfly flowers.
• "Amber Kiss" is a bush that forms a lush carpet with bright bronze-yellow flowers.
• “Froze chocolate” is a bush form, prone to rapid growth in width; opens many small flowers at the same time; The color of the flowers is brown with a yellow eye and dark strokes.

Luxurious Williams viola lashes in a hanging flowerpot

Viola sororia

Viola Sororia (moth viola) is a perennial bush species, up to 20 cm high. Primrose, blooms in April-May, sometimes again at the end of summer. This is a small, compact bush formed by wide heart-shaped leaves. Each flower, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, is supported on its own stem, rising above the leaves. There are varieties with blue-violet, white, white-blue flowers.

Viola Sororia is used as a ground cover - when decorating alpine slides, curbs, garden paths, flower bed

Viola Sororia - perennial unpretentious violet

Viola Sororia varieties:

• Ruba – blue-violet flowers;
• Frickles (“Freckles”) – white flowers with blue specks;
• Albiflora – snow-white flowers.

Fragrant viola or fragrant violet (Viola odorata)

Viola fragrant is a perennial plant whose flowers have a pleasant aroma. Due to this, fragrant violet extract is used to create perfumes and cosmetic products. Viola odorata is also cultivated as an ornamental plant. However, acquired varieties, after several years of cultivation, often run wild.

Fragrant violet has not only a decorative appearance, but also a wonderful aroma

The leaves of the fragrant violet are round, with a serrated edge. Flowers, up to 2 cm in diameter, are located on long thin stems. Species forms are painted in purple, blue, and white tones. Cultivars can be red, yellow, purple, pink.

The fragrant violet blooms in April and early May. A second wave of flowering is possible - at the end of summer.

The size of the fragrant viola bush is almost dwarf - up to 15 cm. But, if you plant several specimens together, you will get a wonderful lush and dense cushion. Due to its decorative properties, fragrant viola is grown in pots on balconies, flower beds, flower beds and borders, in mixborders and on alpine slides.

The following varieties of fragrant violets are very popular in culture:

• Coeur d’Alsace – pink (salmon) flowers, very fragrant;
• Alba – pure white simple flowers, with a delicate aroma;
• Ashvale Blue - large white double flowers with blue spots on the edges of the petals;
• Marie Louise - blue double flowers with a white center, very fragrant;
• Lydia Groves – single large pink flowers, sweet scent;
• La France – flowers are large, purple, simple in structure;
• Orchid Pink - simple pink-purple flowers with pale blue stripes in the center.

Wittrock violet, viola, pansy (Viola x wittrockiana) is one of the most popular plants in the flower world, allowing it to be grown as an annual and biennial.

There is enormous interest in viola in the southernmost regions, where it can fill empty flower beds in winter and early spring.

Secret 1

IN northern regions and in central Russia, viola is grown as a biennial with seeds sown in the summer of the previous year. In this case, from the 2nd half of June, viola seeds are sown in previously prepared ridges or boxes filled with loose fertile substrate, providing the seedlings with moderate watering and a temperature of +18+20 degrees C. The seedlings must be shaded from direct sun rays. At the stage of 2 cotyledon leaves, we pick the seedlings onto the ridges, maintaining a distance of 5x5 cm between the plants. After picking, after about 7-10 days, we feed the seedlings for the first time, and then every 10 days, alternating complex mineral fertilizers with organic ones.

Wittrock violet seedlings are planted in a permanent place in late August - early September, keeping a distance of 20-15 cm between plants. Before planting, rotted and sifted humus or compost is added. The soil is mulched with a 5 cm layer of peat to retain moisture and cover in the winter and spring.

Secret 2

In the southernmost regions, viola is grown as a winter-spring flowering plant with seeds sown in the summer of the previous year. On the southern coast of Crimea and on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory, it is planted in open ground in late autumn in the year of sowing. Flowering lasts from winter until early summer.

Secret 3

In seed production, viola is grown as an annual plant with seeds sown in early spring in the year of flowering. Modern hybrids in all regions can be grown as annuals that bloom until autumn.

In this case, the seeds are sown for seedlings in February-March. Shoots appear in 5-7 days. We plant seedlings in open ground at the end of April - beginning of May, keeping a distance of 20-25 cm between plants. For the development of a good strong plant and long flowering, “genetics alone” is not enough; regular watering and fertilizing are necessary. After picking, we feed the plants with nitrogen fertilizers 1-2 times, and after planting in open ground - with full complex fertilizers throughout the summer, every 2 weeks.

IN Lately on the world market flower crops Varieties have appeared with large flowers, up to 12 cm in diameter, prolonged flowering and sufficient heat resistance, which allows them to bloom in summer. Currently at the zenith of their fame are the colorful hybrid varieties. There are several hundred of them, although they still have an unsettled classification. In practice, large-flowered (plain and variegated) and small-flowered varieties are still distinguished. Let's get to know the best of them.

Wittrock violet variety ‘Alpensee’

A mysterious variety with large dark purple flowers and a darker spot with a central yellow eye.

Wittrock violet variety ‘Bambini’

A cheerful variety that children will certainly enjoy. The flowers are not large; bloom in spring and summer, in a wide color scheme, most with contrasting white or yellow petals and central “painted” eyelashes - strokes that give the flowers a sweet spontaneity.

Wittrock violet variety ‘F1 Cristal Bowl White’

Luxurious F1 hybrid from the Cristal Bowl series. The flowers are large, up to 10 cm or more in diameter, white, with a yellow eye in the center, the edges of the petals are wavy.

Wittrock violet variety ‘Delta Pure Deep Orange’

A beautiful single-color, fairly compact variety from the Delta Series. The flowers are pure orange in color, without contrasting spots or streaks. Reliable variety: will not let you down in any weather!

Wittrock violet variety ‘Firnengold’

Excellent variety. The flowers are large, more than 6 cm in diameter, golden yellow with a large dark purple spot in the center.

Wittrock violet variety ‘Majestic Giant II Scherry’

Delightful variety! The flowers are large, up to 10 cm in diameter, pink-cherry with a darker center, sometimes outlined by a yellow rim.

Wittrock violet variety ‘Maxim Marina’

Gorgeous variety! Purple edge of the petals, white rim and central dark purple spot with a yellow eye. All details are drawn as if by hatching.

Wittrock violet variety ‘Pure White’

Excellent variety! The flowers are white with a yellow eye - nothing extra.

Wittrock violet variety ‘Reingold’

Another yellow-flowered variety, similar to ‘Firnengold’, but the color is brighter: it is yellow-orange.

Wittrock violet variety ‘Skyline Orange’

A beautiful variety. The flowers are large, up to 10 cm in diameter, orange, with a dark purple “ciliated” spot in the center.

Wittrock violet variety ‘Tangenne’

Very beautiful variety! It is from the Schweizer Reisen series. The flowers are 5-6 cm in diameter, white with a dark purple spot.

Wittrock violet Universal Series

The varieties of this series are characterized by medium-sized flowers: up to 6 cm in diameter. They bloom in winter, spring, and summer in a wide range of colors, including two-colored ones, sometimes with “cilia.”

Features of culture

Wittrock violet is cold-resistant, moisture-loving, grows in the sun and in partial shade (flowering is not so impressive) on fertile, moist loams. On the poor dry sandy soils the flowers become smaller, and in the lowlands where water stagnates, the plants become damp. In early spring it can “stick out” from the ground, so the plantings are mulched with peat.

Accommodation at the dacha

Wittrock violet is good in bloom in balcony boxes, garden vases, on ridges, in flower beds, mixborders. Flower growers love it because it tolerates transplantation well in a blooming state.

True fans of Wittrock's violet can also read the following material on the site:

How to prolong the flowering of violas; Viola is the favorite granddaughter of the violet; Charming eyes; Such cute violets: types, varieties, hybrids, etc.

Viola is directly related to the genus of the violet family. These plants can be found mostly in areas with temperate climate and in mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This genus, according to various sources, includes 400–700 species. There are violas that are endemic to the South American Andes, there are those that grow in the tropical part of South Africa, in the subtropics of Brazil, in Australia, in New Zealand and on the Sandwich Islands. Viola was popularly called pansy. Viola violet became popular many centuries ago. So, approximately 2.5 thousand years ago, peoples living on European territory used these cute flowers to decorate wreaths and garlands, as well as rooms during holidays. The first to be bred was the fragrant violet, and then the mountain violet. The first time that work was underway on the selection of violets to obtain hybrids was mentioned back in 1683. Residents of Europe learned about the existence of the Wittrock viola species in the 19th century. This species was created by crossing Altai viola, yellow viola, and tricolor viola. Today, garden viola is one of the most popular plants among gardeners. It has several hundred varieties and varieties.

Features of the viola

Representatives of viola can be annuals, biennials and perennials. This herbaceous plant reaches a height of 15–30 centimeters. The root system is fibrous, the main stem is erect. Leaf blades with stipules can be pinnately dissected or simple. They grow alternately or are part of a basal rosette. Single axillary flowers, reaching a diameter of 7 centimeters, are located on fairly long peduncles. The petals located at the top have marigolds, and at the bottom they have larger size and a sac-like formation (spur), located at the base. The shape of flowers and color can be very different, for example: two or three colors, plain, striped, spotted, with 1 spot, with a smooth or wavy edge of the petals, double or simple, etc. The flowering of this plant is incredibly abundant. Depending on when the plant was planted, flowering can be observed from the second half of March to the end spring period or from August until frost. There are hybrids that bloom throughout summer period or 2 times per season. The fruit is a capsule containing seeds inside. Their high germination rate persists for a couple of years.

This is a frost-resistant plant that thrives in the shade. However, in a shaded place it blooms less abundantly, and the flowers themselves become smaller. Loamy, moist soil, saturated nutrients. If you plant such a flower on dry sandy soil, then as a result the flowers will also become smaller.

Growing viola from seeds

Sowing seedlings

Seeds can be sown directly in open ground. However, the most popular and reliable way to grow viola is through seedlings. If you sow in the last days of February, such plants will bloom this year. For sowing, it is recommended to purchase a special soil mixture for violets, and the seeds must be immersed in a solution of zircon or epin for 24 hours. Make grooves in the substrate and pour pre-dried seeds into them. They need to be sprinkled with soil, which is first rubbed between the palms. Next, watering is carried out, and the container is covered with film or glass. Then the container must be removed to a fairly cool place (about 15 degrees).

Seedling

The first seedlings will appear after 7–10 days. As soon as this happens, the shelter will need to be removed and the container moved to an even cooler place (about 10 degrees). The lighting must be bright, but diffused, and the flowers must be protected from direct sunlight. Seedlings must be watered and fed in a timely manner. In this case, fertilizing is carried out once every 2 weeks, using a solution of complex mineral fertilizer.

Picking

When exactly to pick and how many times? On this score, gardeners have 2 different opinions. So, one part of gardeners believes that these flowers need to be picked a couple of times. In this case, the first picking is made after the appearance of 2 true leaves, and the second - after 15–20 days according to the 6x6 pattern. And another part of no less experienced gardeners believe that this plant does not need a second pick at all. It should be remembered that this plant can be planted on the site already flowering, and it will take root just as quickly and easily. Flowering of a plant grown from seeds is observed at the end of spring or beginning of summer.

Transplantation into open ground

What time to plant viola

The time for planting seedlings in open soil directly depends on the climate in a particular area. So, planting is carried out in April or May. It is recommended to choose a well-lit area for the viola. It is best if the soil consists of earth, not very finely crushed charcoal and dry bird droppings or humus (5:1:1). The following soil mixture is also suitable for the plant: turf soil, sand, humus and peat (2:1:2:2). It is impossible to plant in lowlands where groundwater lie very close to the soil surface.

How to plant

Planting a viola is not difficult. First, the holes are prepared, and it should be taken into account that a distance of 10 to 15 centimeters should be maintained between the bushes. The planted violas are sprinkled with soil, which should be compacted, and then they are watered. Perennial violas need to be transplanted to a new place once every 3 years, and the bush is divided. If this is not done, the flowers will grow greatly and their flowers will begin to become smaller. If you want to propagate some rare or favorite variety, you can do this by cuttings.

Features of care

Root system of this flower is superficial and is located at a depth of 15 to 20 centimeters. In this regard, it is necessary that the soil is slightly moist and loose at all times. Watering is carried out only when there is a prolonged dry and hot period. If it rains regularly in the summer, then there is no need to water the pansies. It is also necessary to promptly pull out weeds and remove faded flowers so that the flowering remains lush.

Also, these beautiful flowers need to be fertilized regularly. To do this, fertilize with superphosphate or ammonium nitrate once every 4 weeks (take 25 to 30 grams of the substance per 1 m2).

Diseases and pests

Caring for a viola is quite simple, and if you strictly adhere to the rules and do everything on time necessary procedures(watering, weeding, loosening, fertilizing), then your flowers will always look incredibly impressive, and they will not get sick and will not be disturbed harmful insects. Often such a plant gets sick powdery mildew. In an infected specimen, a whitish or grayish coating appears on the surface of leaf blades, buds and stems. Viola can get sick due to the fact that it is constantly fed with fertilizer containing nitrogen, and the disease can also be triggered by heavy dew in the morning during the relatively dry summer period. Diseased bushes must be treated with soda ash, to which you need to add foundation, soap or ground sulfur. If the bush does not recover, then after half a month the treatment must be repeated.

Pansies can also get sick with black leg or gray rot. The reasons for the development of these diseases are: inappropriate temperature regime, disturbances in soil or air humidity. Try to eliminate the cause of the disease, otherwise the rest of the bushes will become infected. Do not forget to dig up and destroy the infected plants, and you need to water the area where they grew with a foundation solution.

In some cases, this flower may develop spotting. The leaf blades of an infected bush begin to dry out, while the flower itself weakens. Be sure to dig up infected bushes. Experienced gardeners recommend burning them so that the disease cannot spread further. The remaining healthy specimens should be subjected to preventive treatment. To do this, they need to be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture 2 or 3 times, and the intervals between treatments should be 14 days.

This flower is particularly dangerous for the violet and clover moth caterpillars, which feed on the leaves of this plant. In order to get rid of pests, plants should be treated with infusion of tobacco or chlorophos.

Viola after flowering

Collecting seeds

Seed collection should be done at the end of flowering, which is approximately August or September. After the flower fades, a small box appears in its place, inside which there are seeds. You can start collecting seeds only after the box opens up. The extracted seeds must be scattered onto a sheet of newspaper and dried in room conditions. Then they are put on the refrigerator shelf, where they will be stored. If the seed pods are left on the bush, self-seeding will occur. Shoots, as a rule, are dense, and the first plants may appear even in autumn time or in the spring. If you do not want to grow viola through seedlings, then simply thin out the seedlings in a timely manner, and if necessary, they can be replanted.

Wintering

Modern varieties of viola, which are perennial plants, have high frost resistance. If you cover them with dry leaves or cover them with spruce branches, they will calmly tolerate a drop in air temperature to minus 30 degrees. If you grow annuals, they need to be disposed of after flowering ends.

Main types and varieties of viola with photos and names

Viola wittrockiana

The most popular among gardeners is this type, which is also called pansy. This perennial plant is cultivated as a biennial. The height of the bush can reach from 20 to 30 centimeters. It has alternately arranged oval leaf plates, along the edge of which there are blunt teeth. The flowers are solitary, relatively large (diameter 4–10 centimeters). They can have different colors and shapes. Flower growers divide plants of this type into several categories: according to the timing and quality of flowering, the size of the flowers, their color, shape and level of frost resistance. If the size of the flowers is taken into account, as well as their number on the bush during the flowering period, then the plants are divided into 2 groups: multi-flowered (multiflora) and large-flowered (grandiflora) varieties. If the color of the plant is taken into account, then in this case the varieties of such flowers are conventionally divided into: two-color, one-color, and spotted. It should be remembered that the same variety can be both spotted and bicolor.

Single-color varieties

1. Viola White. The height of the spreading bush is 0.2 m, and its diameter is about 0.25 m. The leaf blades are green. The flowers are white, slightly yellow and green. They are very fragrant and are located on long peduncles. Flowering of this variety is observed from the second half of April to the first days of August and from the last days of September to October. Tolerates winter well under cover.
2. Blue Boy. The height of the bush is about 0.25 m. The leaf blades are bluish. The diameter of the corrugated bluish-lilac flowers is about 6 centimeters. The petals located on top are bent back. And also at the base of all the petals there are streaks of dark lilac color. Up to 19 flowers can open on one bush at the same time. Flowering occurs from April to August and from September to October. Under cover it tolerates wintering well.
3. Rua de Negri. The bushes are compact, reaching a height of 0.23 m. There is a bluish coating on the surface of the leaves. The flowers have a five-centimeter diameter. The velvet petals have a rounded shape, they are wavy along the edge, slightly bent back. At the base of the petal, located below, there is a deep yellow eye. At the same time, up to 14 flowers can open on a bush. Flowering is observed in April–August, as well as in September–October. If you cover the viola, it will survive the winter well.
4. Viola red. Erect shoots reach a height of 0.2 m. The red flowers have a diameter of about 7 centimeters, and at the base of the petals there is a very dark eye.

Bicolor varieties

1. Jupiter. Compact bush, reaching a height of 16 centimeters. The leaf blades are dark green. The diameter of the flowers is about 5 centimeters. The purple-white flowers have a round shape. The velvety petals located below are dark-colored. purple, and those on top are bent back, and at the base they are white. Up to 20 flowers can open at the same time. Winter-hardy.
2. Lord Beaconsfield. The height of the bushes is about 25 centimeters. The leaf blades are slightly bluish. The diameter of the flowers is about 5.5 centimeters. The petals located below are dark purple with an uneven border along the edge of a lilac color. The upper bluish-white petals have ink strokes at the base. At the same time, about 30 flowers can open on a bush. The variety is frost-resistant.
3. Saint Canute. The compact bushes, which are about 0.2 m high, have green leaf blades. The diameter of the flowers is about 5 centimeters. The strongly protruding lower petals have a rich orange color, while at the base they are red. The petals located on top are pale orange-yellow in color. At the same time, up to 19 flowers can open on a bush.

Spotted varieties

1. Shalom Purim. This is a several times improved form of the Viola Rococo variety. Her flowers are also double, but the petals are very corrugated. The flowers are large (1/3 larger than the standard). Sold in specialty stores as a mixture of various seeds different colors. It also differs from the mother plant in that it grows better not in a sunny place, but in slight partial shade, in which case the petals will be the most corrugated.
2. Hybrid F1 Tiger Eyes. This brand new hybrid has amazing colors. The flowers are small, they reach only 3 centimeters in diameter; on the surface of the yellow petals there are many thin brown streaks. This plant Suitable for growing both in open ground and in pots. The difference between this hybrid is that it blooms very early and luxuriantly, and its flowers have a pleasant smell.
3. Hybrid F1 "Cassis". The flowers, located on a compact bush, are purple and have a thin white border along the edge. The flowering is very lush and has increased winter hardiness.

Horned viola (Viola cornuta), or ampelous viola

Ampelous viola is also quite popular among gardeners. The height of this perennial varies from 15 to 25 centimeters. The branched rhizome is creeping, it grows and forms a carpet. The cross-section of the shoots is triangular, the oblong leaf plates are coarsely toothed, and they reach a length of about 6 centimeters. The stipules are pinnately incised. There is a bush great amount flowers, they reach from 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter. They are colored in various shades of violet and lilac and have a small yellow eye and horn-shaped spurs. Flowering occurs in May–September. It is highly frost-resistant, but it is recommended to cover it for wintering. You need to grow ampelous viola in almost the same way as garden viola. Breeders from England are working hardest on obtaining new varieties of this species:

1. Arkwright Ruby. This variety is large-flowered. The color of the petals is rich red, there is a yellow eye. At the base of the petals located below, there are dark spots.
2. Balmont Blue. The stems of the bush are climbing, and the color of the flowers is blue. It is recommended to grow both in balcony containers and in hanging baskets.
3. Purple Duet. The flowers have 2 petals located on top that are burgundy in color, and the 3 lower ones are dark pink and have very dark streaks at the base.

Viola odorata

It is also quite often grown in gardens. This perennial plant has a thick rhizome. The length of the leaf plates, which have an almost round shape, is 9 centimeters, and the width is 8 centimeters. They are assembled into a socket. Large fragrant flowers are painted in various shades of purple. Flowering occurs in May and lasts 20 days. Repeated flowering occurs in autumn. Varieties:

1. Rosina. The flower looks like a flying bird. Fragrant pink flowers closer to the base they have a darker color. The petals located on top are bent, and on the side they are slightly extended forward.
2. Charlotte. The color of the large flowers is dark purple.
3. Tsar. There are fragrant purple flowers.

Viola papilionacea, Viola cucullata

The height of the bush is from 15 to 20 centimeters. The leaf blades have a serrated edge and a kidney- or heart-shaped shape. Large single flowers are purple. The petal located on top is white with a stripe of purple color, the center is greenish-yellow, almost white. Flowering is observed in April–June. Varieties:

1. Freckles. The white petals have many speckles of purple color; if it is cool in spring, they become larger. Flowering occurs in spring and ends at the beginning of summer. It is unpretentious.
2. Royal Robe. Miniature variety. The flowers are fragrant, their petals are bent back, and there are black or yellow streaks at the base. The color of the petals varies from purple to violet-blue.
3. Red Giant. Large flowers of purple-red color, located on long peduncles. It blooms for a very long time.

Also suitable for cultivating in the garden are violas: graceful, mountain, yellow, marsh, Altai, hairy, Labrador, one-flowered, variegated, sandy, Somkhetian, dog, sister, stop-shaped, amazing, hill and Selkirk viola. On this moment Almost only some breeders use them in their work.

The favorite of gardeners is Viola Vetroka or the well-known Pansy. In this article you will find a description of the most popular flower varieties with photos.

Violla Vetroka is a herbaceous perennial plant of hybrid origin. It can be grown both as a perennial and as an annual plant.

You can sow it like seedling method, and by planting seeds in open ground.

She is responsive to feeding and feels great even in shaded areas. U

Caring for the plant involves regular watering and weeding.

According to reviews from gardeners, it is clear that its main advantage is its ease of care and high resistance to diseases and pests.

Viola Vetroka - the most popular varieties

Viola Vetroka terry lace

Viola terry lace is a real find for gardeners who love to grow flowers on their plot.

It easily tolerates cold winters and does not require special care.

At the same time, throughout the warm season it will delight the eye with abundant flowering.

From the reviews of gardeners, it is worth noting the advantage of this type of viola is that its cultivation is possible even in shady corners garden

The only drawback is that its seedlings are susceptible to death from blackleg and gray rot.

Terry lace

Viola Vetroka Alpensee

Alpensee, like other types of viola, is easily propagated by dividing an adult plant or by planting seeds in open ground.

She does not require special care.

You just have to remember about regular watering and weeding. And if you don’t forget to feed it, it will delight you with long-lasting, spectacular flowering.

Diseases that can destroy a plant include blackleg, gray rot, powdery mildew and rust. But the plant becomes infected with them extremely rarely.

Many gardeners choose this variety for its low maintenance requirements and abundant flowering even in shady corners of the garden.

Alpensee

Elbe waters

Viola of the Elbe Waters has long been known to gardeners as a bright, beautiful plant that does not require special care.

It can be grown either by seedlings, blooming already in the first year after planting in the ground, or by seeds in open ground, but in this case the flowering will only occur the next season.

The plant is highly resistant to diseases and pests. The most popular is the death of seedlings from gray rot and black leg.

The height of the plant usually does not exceed 15 - 20 cm, but at the same time several large inflorescences are formed on each stem.

From the reviews of gardeners on various forums, it becomes clear that the main advantage of the plant is its ease of care and abundant flowering. The disadvantage is that flowering will not occur in the first year of planting seeds in open ground.

Elbe waters

Viola variety Kan - kan

Variety Kan - Kan is considered one of the new types of viola, but people have already fallen in love with it big number gardeners.

The bush has quite compact dimensions up to 20 cm in height and medium-sized flowers up to 8 cm in diameter.

It can be grown either by seedlings or by planting seeds in open ground.

Flowering in the first year will occur only in the first case, in the second you will see flowers only in the second season after planting.

Among the diseases and pests that can harm the plant, it is worth noting blackleg, powdery mildew and rust. But infection occurs in rare cases, because it has high resistance to them.

Tricolor violet, moths. There is probably no person who would not at least once admire this bright, sensual flower. If you are looking for a beautiful, but at the same time unpretentious plant for your garden, then the choice is obvious - viola.

Planting and caring for viola do not require special knowledge and skills, any gardener can cope with this task. This flower can be grown both in open ground and in flowerpots and pots. The ease of propagation will allow you to admire this plant for many years. So it’s worth looking at the photo of the viola, choosing the varieties you like and starting planting.

Viola: varieties and varieties

The genus of violas has up to 500 varieties, but only a few of them are chosen for growing in gardens. We will dwell on these types and varieties in more detail.

• Swiss giants;
• rococo;
• bambini.

Planting a viola

Viola feels good both in sunny areas and in the shade. But you should still avoid the sun and complete shade. Try to choose a place where your flowers will be shaded for several hours a day, and the rest of the time they will bask in the sun.

Viola can be planted using both seedlings and seeds. Seeds are sown in open ground in May. 2-3 seeds are placed in the holes, and 50-60 seeds per meter in the furrows. Gardeners do not recommend deep-burying the seeds; 0.5–0.7 cm is enough. Sprinkle on top thin layer soil and water. The first shoots will not take long to appear. After just a week, it is recommended to cover the young shoots with a dark film so that they do not burn in the sun. After two weeks the film can be removed.

Viola is very easily propagated by seeds

Planting seeds for seedlings is done in the same way. In February, seeds are sown in pots or boxes. Young violets dive twice. The first time as soon as the first shoots appear, the second time after 2-3 weeks. Seedlings can be planted in open ground after two months. There is no need to leave large gaps between the beds with viola; 25 cm is enough for free growth of viola.

Advice. If you decide to grow seedlings, then it is best to use a special ready-made substrate for violets, which can be purchased at any hardware store.

Plant care

The root system of the viola is located quite shallow, so watering this flower should be regular. But you should not allow water to stagnate. In addition, the viola responds gratefully to loosening. It is best to cover the viola for the winter. For this, a small layer of spruce branches, peat or leaves will be enough.

Loosen the soil around the viola carefully so as not to damage the root system

Advice. To prolong the flowering of viola, remove faded flowers and seed pods.

Fertilizer and feeding of viola

You can start fertilizing this perennial plant by preparing the bed. In autumn, when digging, it is recommended to add humus or mineral fertilizer. Seedlings must be fertilized once every two weeks with complex mineral fertilizers.

Do not use organic fertilizers to feed viola

Adult flowers will be grateful for superphosphate fertilizing, which must be applied once a month, but manure should be avoided.

Viola propagation

To preserve varietal qualities, viola can be propagated by cuttings, since when cross-pollinated, the resulting seeds can produce offspring that have lost their maternal characteristics. In addition, cuttings allow you to rejuvenate plants that, after three years, grow too much and lose their flowering splendor.

Viola: how the plant works

Viola can be cut at any time of the year; even during flowering, it easily tolerates transplants. It is best to choose green shoots that have already formed 2-3 buds. Carefully trimmed cuttings are planted in a garden bed, which is best done in a shaded place. There is no need to bury the cuttings; 0.5–1 cm will be enough. Don’t forget to periodically water your seedlings, and within a month you will have ready-made planting material.

Advice. When planting cuttings, you can cover them with a damp cloth or paper to avoid drying out and wilting.

Diseases and pests

Viola, which is very easy to plant and care for in open ground, will delight you with colors all summer long. And to avoid difficulties associated with diseases and pests, follow simple rules of agricultural technology. The most common disease among violets is powdery mildew. It occurs when improper feeding- from excess nitrogen. In this case, it is necessary to treat the plant with soda mixed with soap.

Powdery mildew

In addition to powdery mildew, if there is excess moisture, you may encounter problems such as black leg or gray mold. If these diseases are detected, immediately remove the diseased bushes before the fungus spreads throughout the entire garden bed.

Occasionally, the viola becomes more spotty, with the leaves drying out, and the plant itself weakens and dies. Such plants must be uprooted and burned, and the remaining perennials must be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture.

Caterpillar

The most dangerous pests for viola are caterpillars that eat the leaves of the plant. To combat them, specialized means are used.

Viola in landscape design

Viola is very friendly and gets along well with other perennial plants. Pairs well with and.

Small-flowered violets are most expressive when they grow in large numbers. A kind of carpet of green leaves and small flowers of fragrant violet can be made even more spectacular if you add other early flowering crops to it. Scilla, doronicum and tiarella are ideal.

White violets will go perfectly with red ones. Very often in landscape design, violets are decorated together with gorse and iberis.

Viola looks wonderful in the same flower bed with different plants

Various varieties of viola are used as border plantings, and ground cover is combined with ornamental shrubs and dwarf coniferous trees. In flower beds and mixed flower beds, forget-me-nots, tulips and tulips have become the viola’s constant companions. The unpretentiousness of viola and the ease of growing it in pots allows you to decorate not only flower beds and gardens, but also terraces, balconies and window sills.

Viola, like all violets, is also distinguished by its medicinal abilities. Its decoctions are used for laryngitis, gastritis and many other diseases. And the violet tincture itself is often drunk instead of tea, as it has a very pleasant taste and aroma.

Decorative composition with viola

Viola, as we have seen, is a simple and unpretentious plant, the cultivation of which will not cause you any trouble if you follow the rules of agricultural technology and minimal effort. And bright multi-colored flower beds with violets will delight you with their blooms until frost.

Planting viola with seeds: video

Types and varieties of viola: photo

Plant viola (lat. Viola) belongs to the genus of the Violet family, whose representatives grow mainly in mountainous regions and places with a temperate climate in the Northern Hemisphere and, according to various sources, number from four hundred to seven hundred species. Some of the violas are endemic to the South American Andes, and a number of them are found in the subtropics of Brazil, the tropics of South Africa, Australia, the Sandwich Islands and New Zealand. Viola is popularly known as pansies.

The violet viola has been popular since time immemorial - about two and a half millennia ago, the ancient peoples inhabiting the territory of Europe wove the flower into festive garlands and wreaths, decorating the premises for celebrations with them. The fragrant violet was the first to be introduced into culture, followed by the mountain violet. The first mention of breeding work on violet hybrids dates back to 1683. Europeans became acquainted with the Wittrock viola species, which is a hybrid of yellow viola, Altai viola and tricolor viola, in the 19th century. Today, garden viola is one of the most popular plants, with hundreds of varieties and varieties.

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Planting and caring for viola (in brief)

• Landing: seeds of perennials are sown in the ground before winter, annuals are grown in seedlings: seeds are sown for seedlings in March, and seedlings are planted in the ground in May. If viola is grown in a two-year culture, then the seeds are sown in a school bed in June or July, and at the end of August or beginning of September the seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place.
• Bloom: depending on the type, variety and method of cultivation from early spring to late autumn.
• Lighting: bright sunlight.
• The soil: rich, moist, well drained.
• Watering: During the season with normal rainfall, the viola does not need to be watered, but during drought, watering should be regular: the soil on the site is kept loose and slightly moist.
• Feeding: once a month with complete mineral fertilizer.
• Reproduction: seeds and green cuttings.
• Pests: clover owls, spider mites, root-knot nematodes and violet pearlworms.
• Diseases: pythium, smut, leaf spot, gray mold, blackleg, powdery mildew and variegation virus.

Read more about growing viola below.

Viola flowers - growing conditions

Viola is represented by perennial, biennial and annual herbaceous plants, reaching a height of 15 to 30 cm. The root system of viola is fibrous, the main shoot is erect. Simple or pinnately dissected viola leaves, equipped with stipules, are either collected in a basal rosette or grow alternately. Viola flowers are axillary, solitary, on long peduncles, up to 7 cm in diameter, the upper petals have marigolds, the lower petals are larger, with a sac-like formation at the base - a spur. The colors and shapes of violas are striking in their variety: plain, two or three colors, spotted, striped, with one spot, with wavy or smooth edges of the petals, simple or double...

Viola blooms very profusely, depending on the time of planting, either from mid-March to the end of May, or from August until frost, although there are hybrids that can bloom throughout the summer or twice per season. The viola fruit is a capsule with seeds that remain viable for up to two years.

Viola is winter-hardy and shade-tolerant, although away from the sun's rays it does not bloom so profusely, and the flowers become smaller. The soil for viola is preferably loamy, fertile, moist, since it grows on dry sandy soils also leads to the fact that viola flowers become small.

Growing viola from seeds

Sowing viola for seedlings

You can sow viola seeds directly into open ground, but we’d better tell you how to grow viola seedlings, since the seed propagation method is usually more reliable than the seedless method. If you plan to see flowering this year, growing viola seedlings should begin at the end of February.

Before sowing viola, Buy a soil substrate for violets at a flower shop, and soak the seed material for a day in a solution of Epin or Zircon. Then place the seeds in the grooves made in the soil and sprinkle them on top with the substrate rubbed between your palms, water them, cover the container with glass or transparent film and keep in a room with a temperature of about 15 ºC.

In the photo: Viola blooming in a flowerbed

Viola seedlings

Viola seedlings from seeds will begin to hatch within a week or a week and a half, and as soon as the viola has sprouted, the glass must be removed and the container with the seedlings placed in a cool place where the air temperature is not higher than 10 ºC, under bright diffused light and protected from direct sunlight. Caring for viola at this stage consists of timely moistening the substrate and applying complex mineral fertilizer in the form of a solution twice a month.

Viola pick

There are two opinions about how many times and when to dive the viola.

Some flower growers insist that viola seedlings are picked twice: the first time when the seedlings grow a pair of true leaves, and the second time the viola is picked after another 2-3 weeks according to the 6x6 pattern.

But others No less experienced experts believe that the second picking is, in fact, planting the viola in open ground, so you will have to decide whether you need to pick the viola a second time. In the end, viola can be planted on the site in an already blooming state - it takes root well. Viola blooms from seeds in late spring or early summer.

In the photo: Dense thickets of viola

Planting a viola

When to plant viola

Planting violas in open ground is carried out depending on the climate of the area in April or May. Determine a sunny area for the viola with the optimal soil composition and add 0.2 parts of not too finely crushed coal to one part of the soil, so that its fractions also perform a drainage function, and the same amount of humus or dry bird droppings. Viola will also grow well in soil with the following composition: humus, turf soil, peat and sand in a ratio of 2:2:2:1.

Do not plant viola in lowlands where groundwater is close, so that water stagnation does not occur in the roots of the viola.

How to plant viola

If you are concerned about the question of how to plant viola correctly, let me reassure you: planting viola flowers does not contain any secrets. The seedlings are placed in pre-prepared holes at a distance of 10-15 cm between specimens, sprinkled with earth, the soil around the bushes is compacted and watered after planting. Please note that growing viola flowers involves replanting plants every three years, combined with dividing the bushes, otherwise the perennial viola grows greatly and the flowers become small, causing the plant to lose its decorative effect. The best varieties of viola can be easily propagated by cuttings.

In the photo: Pansies

Viola care

How to grow viola

Growing viola requires keeping the soil on the site moist and loose, since root system the plant has a superficial one - it is located at a depth of only 15-20 cm. Water the area with viola as needed, but in a normal summer, natural moisture - rain - will be enough, and only if the summer is hot, will you have to bother with watering. It is also necessary to remove weeds from the site as they appear and to pick off faded flowers with seed pods in a timely manner so that the flowering of the viola does not lose intensity.

In addition, caring for viola flowers involves monthly fertilizing with ammonium nitrate or superphosphate at the rate of 25-30 g per square meter.

In the photo: White and blue violas

Pests and diseases of viola

As you can see, planting a viola and caring for it is very simple, so do not neglect the rules for growing viola, follow them pedantically, otherwise you will have to face the difficulties that proper care could have been avoided. We are talking about diseases and pests that arise when the rules of agricultural technology are violated.

Most often, viola suffers from powdery mildew, which initially appears in the form of a gray or white coating on the leaves, buds and stems. This happens if fertilizing is done only with nitrogen fertilizers or in dry, sunny summers with abundant morning dew. In case of powdery mildew disease, plants are sprayed with soda ash and soap or Fundazol, or ground sulfur. If the disease does not go away, The treatment can be repeated after two weeks.

In addition, if the temperature, air and soil humidity established by agricultural technology are violated, problems with diseases such as gray rot or blackleg may occur. Eliminate the causes of the disease before it affects all plants, remove the affected specimens, and water the soil after them with Fundazol.

In the photo: Large viola flower

Sometimes viola suffers from spotting, from which its leaves dry out and the plant itself weakens. It is necessary to destroy the diseased specimens, and it is best to burn them so that the infection does not spread throughout the garden. For preventive purposes, healthy plants are sprayed with Bordeaux mixture 2-3 times with an interval of two weeks between sessions.

Among the insects that are dangerous for viola are the caterpillars of the clover cutworm and the violet pearlworm, which eat the leaves of the plant. They are destroyed by spraying the viola with chlorophos or tobacco infusion.

Viola after flowering

How and when to collect viola seeds

Collect seeds from faded plants in August-September. After the flowers fade, small boxes with seeds remain in their place.

A sign that the seeds are ready for collection is when the capsule turns upward.

The seeds are removed from the cut pods, dried indoors and stored in the refrigerator. If the seed pods are not removed, then abundant self-seeding may occur, and you will see fresh spontaneous shoots either in the fall or next spring, but if they are thinned out and planted in time, then you can grow viola on the plot without labor costs for sowing and planting work.

In the photo: How viola blooms in the garden

Viola in winter

Current varieties of perennial violets, if covered with spruce branches or dry leaves, can withstand even severe frosts - down to -30 ºC. And annual violas are disposed of after wilting.

Types and varieties of viola

Viola wittrockiana

The most common type of viola in our flowerbeds is Wittrock's viola, or pansy. This is a perennial 20-30 cm high, grown in cultivation as a biennial plant, with oval alternate leaves with blunt teeth along the edges and single large flowers from 4 to 10 cm in diameter of various colors and shapes.

Flower growers divide garden viola varieties into several categories: according to the timing and quality of flowering, flower size, color, shape and level of winter hardiness.

If the criterion is the size of the flowers and their simultaneous number on the bush during flowering, then according to these characteristics, Wittrock viola varieties are divided into groups of large-flowered (grandiflora) and multi-flowered (multiflora) varieties.

If the basis of the difference is color, then the varieties are conventionally divided into one-color, two-color and spotted, but it should be understood that there is no clear boundary between these groups, and the same variety can be classified, for example, as both spotted and two-color.

Single-color varieties of Wittrock viola:

• Viola White- a spreading bush with a diameter of up to 25 cm and a height of up to 20 cm with green leaves, white with barely noticeable green and yellow fragrant flowers on long peduncles. This variety blooms from mid-April to early August and from late September to October. Winters well under cover;
• Blue Boy– a bush up to 25 cm tall with bluish leaves, lilac-blue corrugated flowers up to 6 cm in diameter, with dark lilac strokes at the base of the petals, the upper petals are bent back. Up to 19 flowers can open on a bush at the same time. It blooms from April to August and in September-October, winters well under cover;
• Rua de Negri- compact bushes up to 23 cm high, leaves with a bluish bloom, flowers up to 5 cm in diameter with rounded black velvet petals wavy at the edges, slightly bent back, at the base of the lower petal there is a bright yellow eye. Up to 14 flowers open simultaneously on a bush. Blooms from April to August and from September to October. Winters well under cover;
• Viola red– erect stems up to 20 cm high, flowers up to 7 cm in diameter, red in color with a very dark eye at the base of the petals.

In the photo: Viola Wittrockiana

Bicolor varieties of Wittrock viola:

• Jupiter- a compact variety up to 16 cm high with dark green leaves and flowers up to 5 cm in diameter with rounded white-violet flowers, the upper petals of which, white at the base, are bent back, and the lower ones have a velvety texture and a deep purple hue. Up to 20 flowers open at once. Winters well;
• Lord Beaconsfield– bushes up to 25 cm high, bluish leaves. Flowers up to 5.5 cm in diameter. The upper petals are white-blue with ink strokes at the base, the lower petals are deep purple with an uneven lilac rim along the edges. Up to 30 flowers bloom on the bush at the same time. Winters well;
• Saint Canute- compact bushes up to 20 cm in height with green leaves and flowers up to 5 cm in diameter, in which the upper petals are a light yellowish-orange hue, and the lower ones, bright orange with a red base, protrude strongly forward. Up to 19 flowers can be open on a bush at the same time.

In the photo: Viola Wittrockiana

Spotted violas:

• Shalom Purim– a many times improved form of the viola rococo variety, the same terry viola, but with incredibly strong corrugation of the petals of very large flowers – a third larger than the standard. It goes on sale as a mixture of seeds of various colors. Unlike the parent species, it prefers light partial shade to the sun - then the corrugation of the leaves is more pronounced;
• hybrid F1 Tiger Eyes– a new product with incredible colors: the yellow background of the petals has frequent thin brown strokes, the diameter of the flower is up to 3 cm. Can be grown both in flower beds and in pots. The hybrid is distinguished by early, abundant flowering and a pleasant aroma;
• hybrid F1 "Cassis"- a compact plant with purple petals with a thin white border along the edges, blooms very profusely, and has high winter hardiness.

In the photo: Horned viola (Viola cornuta), or ampelous viola

In addition to Wittrock's viola, horned viola, or ampelous viola, is often grown in cultivation - a perennial plant from 15 to 25 cm in height with a creeping branched rhizome, which, growing, forms a carpet. Its stems are triangular in cross-section, its leaves are oblong, coarsely toothed, up to 6 cm long, and the stipules are pinnately incised. Numerous flowers 3-5 cm in diameter, with a horn-shaped spur, are colored lilac-violet with a small yellow eye. Blooms from May to September. It is winter-hardy, but it is advisable to cover it for the winter. Growing ampelous viola is not much different from growing garden viola. The breeding of new varieties of horned viola was mainly carried out by English breeders:

• Arkwright Ruby– a large-flowered variety with intensely red petals with a yellow eye and dark spots at the base of the lower petals;
• Balmont Blue– a variety with blue flowers and climbing shoots, grows well in hanging baskets and balcony containers;
• Purple Duet– the flowers of this variety have two upper petals of burgundy color, and the three lower ones are dark pink with darker strokes at the base.

In the photo: Viola odorata

Viola odorata

Another species that grows well in culture and has many garden forms, is the fragrant viola - a perennial with a thick rhizome and almost round leaves up to 9 cm long and up to 8 cm wide, forming a rosette. The flowers are quite large, fragrant, purple in color. It blooms in May for three weeks, sometimes blooming again in the fall. Varieties:

• Rosina- Very fragrant flowers pink in color, darkening closer to the base, their upper petals are bent, the side petals are slightly extended forward - the flower looks like a flying bird;
• Charlotte– viola with large dark purple flowers;
• Tsar- viola with very fragrant purple flowers.

In the photo: Viola papilionacea, or Viola cucullata

Viola papilionacea = Viola cucullata

The butterfly viola, or hooded viola, 15-20 cm high, with heart-shaped or kidney-shaped leaves with jagged edges and large, single purple flowers, the upper petal of which is white with a purple stripe, and the center is yellowish-green, almost white, is also in demand in culture. Blooms from April to June. Varieties:

• Freckles- white flowers with dense purple speckles, which become larger in cool spring. Blooms in spring to early summer. One of the most unpretentious varieties of viola in cultivation;
• Royal Robe- a miniature viola with very fragrant flowers, the petals of which are bent back, and at the base of each petal there are yellowish and black strokes. The petals themselves are colored from violet-blue to purple;
• Red Giant- very large red-violet flowers on long peduncles. Long-flowering variety.

In addition to the listed widely used species of viola, they could grow perfectly in garden culture graceful, mountain, yellow, marsh, Altai, hairy, Labrador, single-flowered, variegated, sandy, Somkhetian, dog, sister, stop-shaped, amazing, hill and Selkirk viola. In the meantime, they are used by breeders for the most part to develop new varieties and hybrids of garden viola.

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If the owners managed to buy a summer cottage in winter or spring, then it is quite difficult to improve it during the season. True, you can plant beds, but it’s difficult to create beautiful flower beds, because many plants begin to bloom and become decorative only in the second year. The only option is to buy or grow annual flowers on the windowsills for the flower bed. Their growing season is so short that many plants begin to bloom as early as May. The main thing is to combine and select the right varieties so that the flower beds look impressive all season long.

When buying annual seeds, you need to be prepared for the fact that your flowerbed will bloom no earlier than mid-May, even if you grow seedlings at home, on windowsills. When sown directly in the ground, the plants will bloom even later - by June. And the reason is not only that most annuals produce their first flowers 40-45 days after the seeds germinate. The speed of plant maturation will also be affected by the weather. If May turns out to be cold, with frosts, then the hatched sprouts will be easily damaged, stop growing, and their growing season will increase. Even the most unpretentious marigolds do not like contrasts between night and day temperatures. Therefore, gardeners have an unspoken rule: to plant seedlings only after the end of the May frosts, and if they were sown directly into the ground, then cover them with spunbond or other non-woven material at night.

Annuals in containers: salvation for spring flower beds

The only option to make flower beds bloom in April is to decorate them with beautiful annuals in pots and containers. Seeds are planted at home in containers from the beginning of January in order to obtain tall seedlings covered with flower buds by the end of spring.

A flowerbed of pots can remain in this form until the beginning of June, and then all the seedlings are transplanted into open ground

Calendula, lobelia and marigold are well suited for these purposes. They begin to be sown in the middle of winter, and to speed up the growing season, the seedlings are additionally illuminated until March. Already at the end of April they will bloom in pots and containers. beautiful flowers, which can be placed in flower beds during the day. True, by the evening the beauty will have to be hidden in so as not to freeze.

Some cunning summer residents, who arrange small flower beds (up to a meter in diameter) in this way, manage to save the plants without dragging them back and forth. To do this, they build a kind of wigwam from wooden stakes, a high pole and lutrasil:

• First, a pole is driven into the center of the flowerbed (which must be round!).
• The space around it is filled with containers with flowers, placing them in several tiers.
• Pegs are driven in along the edge of the flowerbed.
• Lutrasil is sewn from two fabrics in the form of a wide sleeve, whose diameter should be slightly larger than the diameter of the flower bed.
• The top of the sleeve is tied to the top point of the pole, and the lower part of the shelter is straightened out on pegs and pressed to the ground with pebbles.
• On the day, the lower part of the shelter is rolled up and tied to a pole.

To make such a structure look aesthetically pleasing during the day, you can hide the lutrasil in a bright linen cover, putting it directly on the pole. It seems like a lot of hassle. But after making a wigwam once, you will use it for several seasons.

In the first picture, the flowerbed is covered with lutrasil and pressed down with pebbles, in the second, the shelter is tied to a pole, and the stones act as a border, located between the pegs

There is a video on this topic:

Monoflowers of annuals blooming all season

If you don’t want to bother too much with the selection of plants, but at the same time you want to preserve original landscape, we recommend creating monoflowers from one annual plant, which has a long flowering period. Today, many varieties with different flower colors have been developed, so by purchasing several bags, you will decorate the area in the form of bright spots of color. The most spectacular are miniature flower beds in the shape of circles or squares, randomly located on the lawn.

You can use the following annuals for a monostyle flowerbed:

Option #1 - Ageratum

It begins to bloom from the end of May and does not stop until the October frosts. Densely planted plants resemble a terry rug because they bloom very profusely. Ageratum is absolutely not afraid of moisture, but even light frosts can spoil the decorative appearance of the leaves. Grows up to half a meter. The best varieties for monoflowers are considered dwarf (10-30 cm). It should be borne in mind that the degree of growth also depends on lighting. In partial shade, the ageratum begins to stretch upward, reducing the number of flowers, but lengthening the stem.

The square shape of mini-beds filled with fluffy ageratum bushes harmonizes perfectly with green inserts of lawn grass or ground cover plants

The following varieties are suitable for color spots:

• White bouquet (height - up to 25 cm). The color of the flowers is naturally white;
• Blue mink (up to 25 cm high). Color – blue-blue;
• Kalinka (up to 20 cm high). Color – burgundy-red;
• Raspberry (up to 20 cm high). Color – crimson;
• Pink ball (up to 25 cm high). Color – pink-lilac.

If you want to create multi-colored spots, then you can plant the “Aztec Treasures” variety, where seeds of different colors are mixed.

Color spots from different varieties of ageratum, scattered throughout the area in the form of miniature flower beds, will look decorative until winter

Option #2 - Alyssum (Lobularia)

This ground cover plant, which fills the territory offered to it with a dense carpet up to 20 cm high. Even weeds rarely break through it. Incredibly pleasant honey aroma, so for those who keep hives, it is very beneficial in terms of feeding bees. Does not like fresh organic matter and acidic soils. In dry summers it requires watering. Blooms from June to late autumn.

The following varieties are used for monoflowers:

• « Pink rug». It takes root better if grown as seedlings and then replanted in the ground. The flowers are small, pink in color.
• "Snow Carpet"». One of the most unpretentious varieties. It reproduces well by planting seeds directly into the ground, and next summer it will sprout by self-sowing, if you do not pull out the bushes for the winter, but do it in early spring. It is very densely covered with small white flowers and looks as if it has been doused with milk.
• « Gold Placer" or "Golden Wave». A spectacular bright yellow variety. Unlike the previous ones, it does not crawl on the ground, but grows like small balls. Therefore, the flowerbed will have a wavy relief.
• « Magic circles». Light purple inflorescences look very decorative. Does not like heat and reacts to it by stopping flowering. In such a summer, alyssum can shed its leaves and flowers. In this case, gardeners recommend cutting off the above-ground part so that young shoots can take root. By August the plant will bloom again and will delight you until winter.

Even after the first October frosts, most of the flowers and leaves of alyssum will remain “alive” until the final cold snap occurs

Even narrow gaps in rocky hills can be filled with different varieties of alyssum, although it is better to sow seeds in such places than to plant seedlings

Option #3 - Salvia

An excellent option for flower beds with a frame of more than low-growing annuals. The plant itself has a height of up to 40 cm, 20 of which are in the inflorescence. It blooms for a very long time, until late autumn, but has a long growing season. It takes at least 3 months for salvia to bloom. Therefore, the only option for growing it is in seedlings on window sills or in greenhouses with subsequent planting in flower beds.

Salvia has a huge number of varieties of different colors, but in flower beds they usually combine no more than two tones so that the flower garden does not look too colorful

To cover a not very decorative stem, it is better to frame flower beds with salvia with some low-growing plant, for example, cineraria.

Bright red salvia, framed by silvery cineraria, looks solemn and impressive, delighting owners with flowering until late autumn, but both annuals require early sowing of seeds

Annual flowers for decorating colorful flower beds

If you need to create a flower garden in the form of thin streams running along paths or framing a patio area, then low-growing marigolds are ideal. Not everyone knows that this plant can be cut, giving it a geometrically even shape. At the same time, it does not at all reduce the degree of flowering, maintaining its decorative effect even after the first autumn frosts.

Purslane feels great on unfertilized and poor soils. The peculiarity of this low growing plant is the needle-shaped leaves, which together look like a shaggy Christmas tree. But the flowers are large, bright, and when closed (before the rain) they resemble rosebuds. This plant can be used both in and along the edges of a mixed flower bed.

Purslane flowers look stunning both open and closed, and from the moment they bloom they produce a large number of lush double flowers