viola leaves

Are Viola leaves edible?

The leaves and flowers of the common blue violet, along with many other species, are edible and medicinal. The “confederate violet” is an escaped cultivar (cultivated variety) of Viola sororia—it has white flowers with blue streaks and is an inhabitant of lawns in the southeastern United States.

What do Viola leaves look like?

Foliage: Deciduous or evergreen, simple or pinnately lobed leaves. The leaves are long-stalked and ovoid with rounded marginal serrations. Flowers: Open, flat, 5-petalled flowers. The flowers have a pair of upper petals, a pair of side petals and one lower petal.

Do violas come back year after year?

flowering period, delightful blooms and lovely scent, plus they will grow back year after year.

What is the difference between violets and violas?

Violets are more often used as woodland or rock garden plants. ... Violets grow in part or full shade, but most are natives of deciduous forests and bloom best with at least some sun during the flowering season. Violas are tougher than pansies, more tolerant of both heat and cold.

Are violas poisonous to humans?

Flower pollen can detract from the flavor, and some people are allergic to it. Not all parts of all flowers are edible. While flowers such as violas, violets, scarlet runner beans, honeysuckle, and clover are entirely edible, some flowers have only edible petals.

Are violas poisonous?

Gardeners often use pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) as bedding plants in flower beds, but if you have dogs or cats, you may want to limit their use to hanging or elevated pots and baskets. These cheery plants probably won't cause serious illness, but they are mildly poisonous to animals.

Do violas like sun or shade?

Ideally, pansies and violas like lots of sun in the spring and early summer, but they tend to struggle with too much summer heat. A great setting would be one that gets full sun before the trees are fully leafed out and dappled shade during the summer.

Should you Deadhead violas?

Deadhead and keep deadheading. ... If your violas become leggy and you don't want to do all that deadheading, you can undertake a mid season chop. Usually in mid July we take the garden shears to our violas and simply cut straight across the top leaving 2 inches of growth.

How long will violas last?

Winter-flowering pansies are short-lived perennials – which really means they should last for at least three years (thus differentiating them from biennials, which flower and die in their second year) and possibly for much longer, but then rapidly deteriorate, unlike long-lived perennials which should continue to ...

How often should you water violas?

Once your Viola plants are established, they should grow well, even if left unattended. Soil should be moist, but not wet. Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week.

Can violas grow in shade?

Viola. Like lobelia, violas are cool-season annuals that can take full sun in early spring and fall, but they'll bloom a bit later into the summer if you grow them in the shade, especially in the South. ... Light: Shade, part sun, or full sun.

Is a viola a perennial?

Violas are perennial, but die out in the heat of summer. ... You can grow them for spring bloom or fall bloom or both, if you can keep them alive during the summer.

Can violas tolerate heat?

Violas like full sun, but not the heat it brings. This isn't a problem in cool spring temperatures, but when planting in the summer, make sure they get some shade during the hottest part of the afternoon.

How long do pansies and violas last?

If properly planted and well cared for, winter pansies can last for three years or more.

How do you care for viola flowers?

Care for violas correctly

Do not let violas dry out; they do best with regular water. Violas benefit from a light dose of organic fertilizer each month during the growing season. Deadhead blooms often to encourage fresh blooms. Hot weather causes viola blooms to fade and plants to die back.

What is the most dangerous plant in the world?

7 of the World's Deadliest Plants

Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata) ...
Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) ...
White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) ...
Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) ...
Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) ...
Oleander (Nerium oleander) ...
Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

What is Viola tricolor used for?

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties it is regarded as a traditional remedy against skin diseases, for example for the treatment of scabs, itching, ulcers, eczema or psoriasis, and it is also used in the treatment of inflammation of the lungs and chest such as bronchitis or asthma.

Can I eat my pansies?

Pansies and their relatives violas, two common types of edible flowers, have a mild, fresh flavor or a more prominent wintergreen taste depending on the variety and how much you eat. For example, a whole flower tastes stronger than consuming a few petals alone.

Are all pansies and violas edible?

Eat only the flower petals for most flowers except pansies violas, and Johnny-jump-ups (in which they add flavor). If you have allergies, introduce edible flowers gradually, as they may aggravate some allergies.

How do you care for potted violas?

Watering: Violas prefer well-drained soil, and can develop root rot or leaves can mold if grown in standing water or in overly tight conditions. If growing in containers, hold back on overwatering and use as an understory to taller plants to give them a little shade during the summer heat.

How do you care for an outdoor viola?

Viola odorata should only be grown in partial shade in most regions, and in full shade in hot climates. All Violas prefer moist, rich, well-drained soil. Mulch them in the summer to keep the soil cool and moist. Fertilize sparingly when the first flowers begin to form.

When should you plant violas?

Violas are easy to grow from seed, they will be ready for transplanting within 4 to 6 weeks, and flowering within 12 to 16 weeks. They are best planted during late summer into early autumn, or late winter into early spring. Keep the seed chilled before sowing it and avoid sowing in high temperatures.