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 I have a soft spot for this unassuming little plant. I threw some seeds into the ground one early spring, and they sprouted and grew slowly for a long time when suddenly, they bloomed. The flowers were small but bright, and lasted a long time, for pansies. And unlike hibrid pansies, the plant itself was far more tolerant of a range of conditions from hot and dry to cold and wet. Not only that, it bloomed until frost.
Although not showy enough for the front of the border, it looks nice mixed in with other plants, and will reward you with flowers when most other plants have ended for the year.
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| Type: |
Annual |
Water: |
moderate |
| Zone: |
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Sun: |
full to part sun |
| Height: |
8-12" |
Soil: |
fertile, well drained |
| Starting: |
Start from seed in fall where winters are mild, or early spring elsewhere. Plants are slow growers and spring-sown plants may not bloom until midsummer, despite the name. |
Growing: |
These g row well no matter what you do, provided you water occasionally if weather is dry. Otherwise, no special requirements. They are very cold hardy. |
| Etymology: viola = the Latin name for this plant; hiemalis = 'winter-blooming' |
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