A Comprehensive Guide to Violet Varieties for Your Garden
Are you looking to add a touch of cheer and color to your garden? Violets are the perfect choice! From the beloved pansies to the delicate violas and the enchanting species violets, there is a wide variety of options to choose from. In this in-depth article, we will explore 39 of the best violet varieties to help you create a vibrant and colorful garden that will bring you joy throughout the year.
Violet Varieties for Your Garden
What’s the difference between pansies, violas, and violets? Let’s break it down to help you understand the distinctions between these lovely blossoms.
Pansies
Pansies are known for their bright array of colors and large, velvety blooms. They prefer full sun or partial shade and are often grown as annuals. Here are some of the best pansy varieties for your garden:
- Delta: A series of delicate tricolored blooms in signature colors like ‘Pure Lemon,’ ‘Pure Red,’ and ‘Neon Violet.’
- Halloween II: A striking inky-black bloom with purple-tinged yellow eyes.
- Mammoth: Large, flat, tricolored blooms in shades of berry, deep violet, and white.
- Matrix: Available in a variety of colors, including scarlet, light blue, and orange, with strong branches and prolific blooming.
- Moulin Rouge: A ruffled hybrid cultivar with flamenco dancer-like leaves and tricolored blooms in blue, purple, red, and yellow.
Violas
Violas are smaller than pansies but bigger than violets, with solid, bicolor, and tricolored petals. Here are some enchanting viola varieties for your garden:
- Amber Kiss: Golden-orange blooms with a sweet fragrance, perfect for adding a touch of warmth to your garden.
- Celestial Northern Lights: Electric purple blooms with a striped yellow throat, reminiscent of the dancing northern lights.
- ColorMax: A heat-resistant hybrid with vivid colors like ‘Clear Orange’ and ‘Lemon Squash.’
- Etain: Creamy yellow blooms with pale purple edges, a delightful addition to any flowerbed.
- Halo: Gorgeous deep purple blooms with a lighter purple and yellow center, suitable for groundcover.
Species Violets
Species violets are wildflowers that form enchanting carpets under trees and in open meadows. Here are some captivating species violet varieties to consider for your garden:
- Appalachian Blue: A tiny bluish-purple flower native to the wilds of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.
- Beckwith’s Violet: A striking variety with maroon top leaves and lighter purple or blue bottom leaves, native to the Pacific Northwest.
- Bird’s Foot: Resembling its namesake with slightly rounded petals, this variety is a delightful addition to any garden.
- Labrador: A delicate purple violet that grows only four inches tall, perfect for colder climates.
Extra Bonus Mixes
Need more ideas for your violet garden? Consider these bonus mixes to add an extra pop of color and cheer to your garden:
- Colossus Mix: A mix of pansies with four- to five-inch blooms in bold colors like white, yellow, purple, and rose.
- Pansy Seeds Mix: An heirloom mix of pansies in classic colors like purple, white, and yellow, perfect for perennial color.
- Sorbet Series: A series of violas in various colors like ‘Lilac Ice,’ suitable for Zones 3-9 and perfect for adding color and cheer to your garden.
Faithful Violets for Your Garden
Violets are known for their faithfulness, cheerfulness, and loving nature. By blending different varieties of pansies, violas, and species violets in your garden, you can create a vibrant and colorful display that will bring you joy throughout the year. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a novice, violets are a wonderful choice for adding beauty and charm to your outdoor space.
Have you planted violets in your garden? Which varieties are your favorites? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below. And for more tips on growing flowers in your garden, check out our other informative guides!
With an extensive list of 39 violet varieties, information on the differences between pansies, violas, and violets, and bonus mixes to consider, this guide provides valuable insights and inspiration for gardeners looking to add a touch of cheer and color to their outdoor spaces. Whether you are a novice or an experienced gardener, violets offer a versatile and delightful option for creating vibrant and colorful gardens. So why not bring a little joy to your garden with these faithful and loving violets?