Viola
Annual, Perennial

USDA Zones: 2 - 11
Light: sun in Zones 2 to 5 and Pacific Northwest; partial shade elsewhere
Height:  2 to 18 inches
Width:  2 to 10 inches
Flower Colors: blues, yellows predominate; also pinks and white
Bloom Time: winter - early spring
Special Features:
Attracts Butterflies
Containers
Easy to Grow
Flowers
Fragrant
Winter Interest

The stuff of legend and lore, there's room in every garden for a least a few members of the Viola genus. Their distinctive, rounded five -- petaled flowers, many with markings that form "faces," have charmed gardeners for centuries. And since they tolerate cold so well -- a little ice doesn't bother them -- they're a welcome sign of spring in colder regions, perfect for filling pots and windowboxes as soon as the snow melts.

Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) are the best-known member fo the genus; they're cool-season annuals grown in spring in cool climates and in winter in warm climates. They grow up to several inches tall. Their diminutive close cousins are the violas, downscale versions that grow just inches tall. They include the classic Johnny-jump-up, a purple, cream, and yellow viola that reseeds prolifically, hence its name.

The perennial members of the family are the violets, including the horned violet (Viola cornuta) and the very fragrant sweet violet (Viola odorata). Both can be grown in Zones 6 to 9.

Care
All need rich, very moist but well-draining soil that never dries out. Bloom only when temperatures seldom hit 80 or 85 degrees F. Keep spent blooms trimmed or pinched off to promote further bloom.

Planting
Work ample compost into soil. Plant 2 to 4 weeks before your region's last frost date in Zones 2 to 7; plant in fall in Zones 8 to 11. Mulch to conserve moisture.

Pests and Diseases
Slugs and snails can be a problem.