Overview
Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor' is a bushy, clump forming perennial in the genus Viola, part of the Violaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.2 m tall. Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, coastal, flower borders and beds, garden edging and ground cover. It is native to Pyrenees and Cordillera Cantábrica of northern Spain.
About
Viola cornuta, known as horned pansy or horned violet, is a species of flowering plant in the violet family Violaceae, native to the Pyrenees and the Cordillera Cantábrica of northern Spain at an altitude of 1,000–2,300 metres (3,300–7,500 ft). It is a low-growing, clump-forming temperate evergreen perennial, reaching 50 cm (20 in) in height and spread.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Viola cornuta
About the genus
Viola, commonly known as the violets, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Violaceae. It is the largest genus in the family, containing over 680 species. Most species are found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere; however, some are also found in widely divergent areas such as Hawaii, Australasia, and the Andes.
Wikipedia contributors, "Viola (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Viola (plant)
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Viola
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- full sun
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- perennial
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.2 m
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Coastal, Flower borders and beds, Garden edging, Ground cover
- Native to
- Pyrenees, Cordillera Cantábrica of northern Spain
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor'
- Propagation
- Seed sown in late winter or early spring, Stem cuttings in spring or late summer
- Pest resistance
- Slugs, Snails, Aphids, Glasshouse red spider mite, Violet gall midge
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildews, Pansy leaf spot, A virus, A rust
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor'?
Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor' prefers full sun. It suits full sun positions.
What soil does Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor' need?
Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
How big does Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor' grow?
Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor' reaches a height of 0.2 m.
Is Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor' hardy in the UK?
Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor' has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor'?
Seed sown in late winter or early spring, Stem cuttings in spring or late summer.
From the Fenn Plants journal
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- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Viola genus
- Viola 'Panola Rose Picotee' (Panola Series)
- Viola 'Pearl Rose'
- Viola cornutahorned pansy
- Viola cornuta 'Alba'White Horned Violet
- Viola cornuta 'Lilacina'Violet
- Viola eizorensis
- Viola elatiortall violet
- Viola hastatahalberd-leaved violet
