How to Care for Annual Viola Flowers
Viola flowers have a long and interesting history, intertwining with pansies, to make these two flowers synonymous to many people. Violas typically have smaller blooms than pansies, with approximately 500 different viola species growing abundantly around the world. Violas are an annual plant with a tendency to self-sow new volunteer plants for succeeding growing seasons. Care for your annual viola flowers by giving them standard annual flower care. Violas do not require extensive maintenance to thrive in a growing space.
Prepare a sunny growing area in the spring by breaking up the soil with the garden spade down to a depth of 3 to 5 inches. Sprinkle the granular fertilizer evenly over the soil, consulting package information to find the recommended amount of fertilizer for the size of your planting area. Work the fertilizer into the soil evenly with the garden spade.
- Viola flowers have a long and interesting history, intertwining with pansies, to make these two flowers synonymous to many people.
Plant the trailing violas approximately 10 inches apart and plant standard violas approximately 6 inches apart in the prepared growing area. Dig small holes with the trowel and place the viola seedlings into the holes so they are at the same depth as they were growing in their temporary containers. Firm the soil gently around each viola.
Provide water for the newly planted violas immediately after you plant them, watering enough to saturate the soil evenly.
Apply a 2-inch layer of shredded mulch around the violas to help conserve soil moisture and eliminate weed growth among the violas.
Provide water for the violas during the growing season if the soil dries from lack of rain. Water the violas only to saturate the soil.
- Plant the trailing violas approximately 10 inches apart and plant standard violas approximately 6 inches apart in the prepared growing area.
- Provide water for the newly planted violas immediately after you plant them, watering enough to saturate the soil evenly.
Fertilize the violas once per month with the balanced fertilizer. Mix the fertilizer with water according to package recommendations and pour the fertilizer slowly onto the soil around the violas.
Allow the violas to go to seed after they bloom if you desire more violas in future growing seasons. Do not prune or deadhead any blossoms when they fade, and the violas will drop seeds onto the soil for next year’s blooms.
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Writer Bio
Kathryn Hatter is a veteran home-school educator, as well as an accomplished gardener, quilter, crocheter, cook, decorator and digital graphics creator. As a regular contributor to Natural News, many of Hatter's Internet publications focus on natural health and parenting. Hatter has also had publication on home improvement websites such as Redbeacon.
