About

Viola 'Coeur d'Alsace' is a compact, semi-evergreen perennial that reaches a height of approximately 15 cm. It creates a dense mat of dark green, heart-shaped foliage. In late winter and early spring, it produces small, fragrant flowers in a soft dusky pink hue.

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
Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H6

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Matforming
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Fragrance
Flower

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. Ideally choose a position with winter sun and summer shade, such as under deciduous trees, shrubs or hedges
Pruning
Deadhead to prolong flowering. After flowering cut back vigorous plants to keep compact
Propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings in spring or late summer, or by division in spring or autumn
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to slugs, snails, glasshouse red spider mite and violet gall midge
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, pansy downy mildew, pansy leaf spot, a virus and a rust