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Herbaceous Perennial

Viola hederacea

Australian violet

A low-growing, vigorously spreading or trailing, evergreen perennial forming a mat of broadly heart-shaped to almost circular, dark green leaves. In late summer produces rather flat-faced, violet flowers, usually white with central purple blotches, but also pure white, cream or pale to dark purple

Other common names

ivy-leaved violet
spurless violet
see moretrailing violet

Synonyms

Viola reniforme

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Violaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Trailing, Matforming
Genus: Viola can be annuals, biennials or deciduous or evergreen perennials, with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and 5-petalled flowers of characteristic shape
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Australia

How to grow

Cultivation

Best grown in a cool greenhouse, or alpine house. Otherwise grow in fertile, humus-rich, reliably moist but not waterlogged soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
City and courtyard gardens
hanging basket
Banks and slopes
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering. After flowering cut back vigorous plants to keep compact

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails, glasshouse red spider mite and violet gall midge

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, pansy downy mildew, pansy leaf spot, a virus and a rust

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