Wild Pansy
King Henry Viola is a charming heirloom cultivar of Viola cornuta that brings cool-season color to gardens in zones 6 through 9. This compact flower reaches just 4 to 8 inches tall and spreads to about 8 inches wide, making it perfect for edging borders or filling small spaces with spring and fall blooms. From seed to first flowers takes roughly 98 to 112 days, rewarding patient gardeners with months of color across March, April, May, September, October, and November. Deer leave it alone, and pollinators flock to its nectar, adding life and movement to any garden.
6-8 inches apart
Full Sun To Partial Shade
Moderate
6-9
8in H x 8in W
Annual
High
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King Henry Viola blooms prolifically across two distinct seasons, carpeting beds with flowers when most plants are either dormant or fading. Its diminutive size and moderate water needs make it low-maintenance once established, while its deer resistance and pollinator appeal earn it a permanent spot in gardens that value both beauty and ecological contribution. The variety thrives in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade, offering real flexibility in garden placement.
King Henry Viola is grown as an ornamental flower for spring and fall garden color. Its compact habit and long blooming season make it well suited to border edging, container planting, and mass plantings where sustained color is desired across multiple seasons.
Sow indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your average last frost date for early spring planting, or in midsummer for fall planting. Press seeds 1/8 inch deep into moist soil, then chill them at 35 to 40°F for 1 to 2 weeks to break dormancy. Cover the seed tray with vermiculite or a humidity dome to maintain moisture and exclude light, which is critical for germination. After the chilling period, move trays to a warm spot at 65 to 75°F. Expect germination within 7 to 21 days once warmth is applied.
Transplant seedlings outdoors 8 to 10 weeks before your average last frost date in spring, or in midsummer for fall planting in both cold and mild climates. Space plants 8 inches apart. Harden off seedlings gradually over several days before final planting to acclimate them to outdoor conditions.
Direct sow outdoors in early spring, 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date in cold climates. In warm winter zones 8 and above, direct sow in late summer for cool-season bloom. Press seeds 1/8 inch deep into prepared soil.
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