Viola tricolor
heart's ease
A tufted annual, biennial or short-lived, evergreen perennial with spreading stems, producing flowers 2.5cm or more across, from spring to autumn. The blooms typically have dark purple upper petals, pale purple or pale yellow middle petals and a dark yellow lower petal, with dark streaks creating a whiskery 'face'. Other colours may include lavender blue and cream
Other common names
black eyecat's faces
see morecome-and-cuddle-me
constancy
cuddle-me-to-you
cull-me-to-you
Cupid's flower
fancy
flamy
flower of thought
garden gate
hearts in ease
herb Trinity
Jack-jump-up-and-kiss-me
Johnny-jump-up
jump-up-and-kiss-me
kiss-and-look-up
kiss-her-in-the-buttery
kiss-me
kiss-me-at-the-garden-gate
kiss-me-ere-I-rise
kiss-me-love
Kit-run-about
Kitty-come
Kitty-run
lady's delight
little faces
live-in-idleness
love-in-idleness
loving idol
lowly down
meet-her-in-the-entry-kiss-her-in-the-buttery
pansy
pink of my Joan
pink of my John
pretty face
stepmother plant
thinking flower
three faces under a hood
tickle-my-fancy
tricolor pansy
wild pansy
wild violet
bird's eye
none-so-pretty
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Cream Purple Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream Purple Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Cream Purple Yellow | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Violaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
- Eurasia
How to grow
Cultivation
Best in moist soil but will grow in any moderately fertile soil apart from waterlogged soils. Full sun or partial shade is best but shade is tolerated
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in late winter or early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
Pruning
Cut back after flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, violet gall midge
Diseases
May be subject to powdery mildews, pansy leaf spot, a virus and a rust
Get involved
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