Viola Celestial Northern Lights

Noted for its winter hardiness and heat tolerance, Viola ‘Celestial Northern Lights’ is a compact, rounded, evergreen perennial prized for its abundance of fragrant, vibrant purple flowers with sunshine yellow and orange blushed petals. Produced from early spring to late fall, they will bloom through the summer in the Midwest. In the Southeast, they will quit blooming, but their foliage will thrive, and they will rebloom in the fall. Sometimes they will flower all winter in mild climate areas.

Noted for its winter hardiness and heat tolerance, Viola 'Celestial Northern Lights' is a compact, rounded, evergreen perennial prized for its abundance of fragrant, vibrant purple flowers with sunshine yellow and orange blushed petals. Produced from early spring to late fall, they will bloom through the summer in the Midwest. In the Southeast, they will quit blooming, but their foliage will thrive, and they will rebloom in the fall. Sometimes they will flower all winter in mild climate areas. The scented flowers of this ever-blooming pansy arise from a low, bushy mound of rich dark green leaves, which spreads to form an elegant ground cover. Adding cheerfulness to the landscape, this hardy pansy is excellent for massing, edging, rock gardens, and in mixed containers.

  • Easily growing up to 8 in. tall (20 cm) and 14 in. wide (35 cm).
  • A part shade lover, it is best grown in fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates full sun in cool climate areas. Add mulch to keep the soil cool and moist.
  • This plant is highly versatile and can be used in beds, borders, edging, cottage gardens, rock gardens, woodland gardens, containers, or as a ground cover.
  • Watch for slugs, snails, glasshouse red spider mite, violet gall midge, pansy leaf spot, and powdery mildews. This plant is deer resistant.
  • Trim back in early summer to promote new growth.
  • Propagate by softwood cuttings.

Requirements

Hardiness 5
– 8

Heat Zones 1
– 9

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Viola – Violets
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 6"
– 8"
(15cm
– 20cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 10″
– 12″
(25cm
– 30cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden