About

Viola 'Arkwright's Ruby' is a compact, clump-forming evergreen perennial. It features dark green, serrated leaves and produces fragrant, dark red blooms characterized by a deep purple central blotch and bright yellow centers. This plant flowers from spring through autumn.

About the genus

Viola encompasses a range of growth forms, including annuals, biennials, and both deciduous and evergreen perennials. The foliage can be either simple or pinnately lobed, while the flowers typically feature five petals with a distinctive shape.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Fragrance
Flower

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
Pruning
Deadhead regularly and cut back in autumn
Propagation
Propagate by softwood tip cuttings in spring
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and violet gall midge
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, pansy leaf spot, pansy downy mildew, a virus and a rust