Viola hederacea
Australian violet, Trailing violet, New Holland violet, Viola
Also known as Viola reniforme
- Height × spread
- 0.1m × 0.3m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade, likes light shade
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The leaves are rounded, sometimes kidney-shaped, and form a low foliage mound, sometimes with leaves held on trailing stems. The mound has some textural interest in its own right. The flowers are held on short stems above the leaves and are coloured in shades of purple and white. The outer portion of the delicate wavy petals is white, and there is a large area of purple at the petal base. This form is spring and summer flowering. They are best suited to container culture and may be brought under cover in colder areas. This species, which is of Australian origin, may be subdivided into several different ones at some point as it is variable in character.
- Flower colour
- Purple, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Horizontal
- Height
- 0.1m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Shady court, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Prune after flowering
When the plant has finished flowering, cut the trailing stems back by half their length or more to retain a compact and appealing habit.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.