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Viola x wittrockiana is often confused with:
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Viola tricolor Viola tricolor flower.
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Impatiens hawkeri Impatiens hawkeri
Petunia x hybrida Petunia x hybrida
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Viola x wittrockiana has some common insect problems:
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage

Viola x wittrockiana

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
vye-OH-lah BY wih-troh-kee-AY-nah
Description

Pansies, which are one of the most popular bedding plants for cooler weather, are available in many flower colors, patterns, and sizes with some plants being upright and some with a more trailing habit. They can bloom for up to 4 to 6 months, making them an excellent plant for bedding and containers. Plant in the fall as a biennial for late winter and early spring blooms. They prefer full sun to part shade in humus soils that are consistently moist and well-drained. 

Although they have a delicate appearance, they are tough little plants that can tolerate frost.  Plant in the fall to enjoy blooms until the temperatures drop and frost occurs, at which time they will stop blooming.  However, they will be one of the first to bloom as temperatures warm up in the spring.  Smaller plants will survive the winter better than larger plants.  They will also bloom earlier than others that are transplanted in the spring.  Deadheading spent blooms will prolong the bloom period.

Seasons of Interest: 

Bloom:  Fall, Winter, and Spring        Foliage:  Fall, Winter, and Spring

Quick ID

  • Four to nine inches tall and appear in low-growing rounded mounds
  • Flowers orbicular, 1-2 inches across in many colors 
  • Five overlapping petals with a center eyespot or face-like markings
  • Sepals are reflexed or curved back from the flower 
  • Elliptic to lanceolate-shaped leaves with crenate or dentate margins  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fungal leaf disease, pansy leaf spot, and powdery mildew may affect this plant.  Slugs, snails, and glasshouse red spider mites are common insects.  Prevention and Treatment.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Ground covers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Fence Planter Walkway at the Park, Cabarrus County
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#biennial#white flowers#winter interest#apvg#fall interest#cpp#herbaceous#deer resistant#herbaceous perennials#cool weather plant#spring interest#fantz#apvg-a#partial shade tolerant#HS302#perennial#annual#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#biennial#white flowers#winter interest#apvg#fall interest#cpp#herbaceous#deer resistant#herbaceous perennials#cool weather plant#spring interest#fantz#apvg-a#partial shade tolerant#HS302#perennial#annual#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viola
    Family:
    Violaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Biennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Asia
    Wildlife Value:
    Attract butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Defines Paths
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
    Textural
    Edibility:
    Flowers are edible and can be candyied, used for decorating cakes, and eating on crackers with cream cheese.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Sepals are reflexed or curved back from the flower. The flower has 5 overlapping petals with markings. The markings may be an eye spot or have black markings like a face. They are available in many colors and multiple patterns.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The leaf arrangement is difficult to determine because the leaf nodes are so close together. The leaf shape is elliptic to lanceolate with crenate or dentate margins. The leaf measures 1-1.5-inches long. The leaf tissue extends into the petiole and is described as attenuate.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are green, leafy.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Edible Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Slugs