VIOLA. Violet. Worldwide, temperate regions. The familiar pansies and bedding violas represent only a small portion of a large and variable group of perennials. These range from tiny-leaved mats to vigorous bushy plants over 1' tall, with heart shaped to deeply divided leaves. Most, however, have distinctive fiddle shaped blossoms, each with a short spur at the base. Many are fragrant. The selections listed below will thrive in full sun along the coast, part shade almost anywhere, except as noted. Most soils, regular watering. Hardiness varies.

adunca. A charming native. Our selection was taken from the northern coast. It forms compact mats from a branched rhizome. The 1" to 1½" stalked leaves are nearly round, shiny and dark green. In spring and summer it bears many 3/4" blossoms, violet with white centers, just above the foliage. 10^oF or less.

corsica. A showy species, something like the old-fashioned viola (V. cornuta) in appearance. The leaves are nearly round near the base, narrower along the 4-8" flower stems. Both stems and leaves are deep green and lustrous. It flowers much of the year for us (though high summer heat might shorten its season). The blossoms are just under an inch across and deep violet in color, with lighter central markings. 15^oF or less.

labradorica. This plant much resembles V. adunca (see above) except for its broader mats, smaller and heavily purple tinged leaves and slightly smaller flowers. It blooms most of the year for us. A nice carpeting perennial for shady spots, though it can be invasive. 0^oF or below.

odorata. Sweet violet. Among the most graceful of the violets, spreading by runners to form broad clumps with lush green, heart shaped leaves on long stalks. They carry sweetly scented 1/2" to 1" blossoms on slender stems above the foliage in spring and fall. ‘Rosina’ is compact and only 4-6" tall, with fuzzy leaves and powerfully fragrant rose pink blossoms. ‘Royal Robe’ is a 6-8" plant with large, very shiny leaves and 1" blossoms of deep violet hue. ‘Konigin Charlotte’ (‘Queen Charlotte’) is smaller and tighter in growth. It has a heavy crop of smaller, blue-lavender flowers. Below 0^oF.

sempervirens. Redwood violet. This is a native of moist western forests, making evergreen carpets on banks and hummocks. The stems are closely lined by nearly round, pale green leaves. In late spring and early summer small yellow flowers with purple centers rise just above the leaves on slender stalks. 0-10^oF.

stojanowii. A tightly clumping violet with narrow, deep green leaves. It has flowered for us most of the summer and fall, displaying many bright yellow half-inch blossoms with darker centers. This is a good candidate for the rock garden. 15^oF or less.