About
Flowers are white flushed with purple or yellow, and appear close to the foliage in rings on the edge of the rosette. A rare compact, clump-forming evergreen alpine perennial with tight rosettes of pale, olive green, succulent-like leaves. In the wild these would grow in deep volcanic sand so are suitable rockeries or alpine planting, but can be quite challenging to grow.
About the genus
Viola can be annuals, biennials or deciduous or evergreen perennials, with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and 5-petalled flowers of characteristic shape
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Cactus Succulent
HabitBushy, Clump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native toChile, Argentina
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
PruningDeadhead to prolong flowering. After flowering cut back vigorous plants to keep compact
PropagationPropagate from seed, but germination success rates are low so patience may be required
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, pansy downy mildew, pansy leaf spot, a virus and a rust