Overview
Viola 'Imperial Antique Shades' is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Viola, part of the Violaceae family, with evergreen, semi evergreen foliage. Viola 'Imperial Antique Shades' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, city and courtyard gardens, flower borders and beds and underplanting of roses and shrubs.
About
Viola 'Imperial Antique Shades' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial within the Viola genus, known for its evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage and distinctive five-petalled flowers. This cultivar thrives in moist, humus-rich soil and can tolerate full sun if kept moist, making it suitable for a variety of garden settings including cottage gardens, patios, and flower borders. It is hardy to UK zone H5 and flowers from spring through to autumn. Viola 'Imperial Antique Shades' performs well in a range of soil types and pH levels, and prefers partial shade but can also grow in exposed or sheltered positions.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Viola
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Viola 'Imperial Antique Shades' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen, Semi evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Flower borders and beds, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Viola 'Imperial Antique Shades'
- Propagation
- Seed sown in late winter or early spring
- 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 'Imperial Antique Shades'?
Viola 'Imperial Antique Shades' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Viola 'Imperial Antique Shades' need?
Viola 'Imperial Antique Shades' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Viola 'Imperial Antique Shades' hardy in the UK?
Viola 'Imperial Antique Shades' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Viola 'Imperial Antique Shades'?
Seed sown in late winter or early spring.
More in the Viola genus
- Viola 'Ab5131'PBR
- Viola 'Alice Witter' (Vt)
- Viola 'Beatrice' (Vtta)
- Viola 'Black Knight'
- Viola 'Caroline' (Va)
- Viola 'Cinders' (Vtta)
- Viola 'Clover' (Va)
- Viola 'David Wheldon' (Va)