Viola Sorbet Icy Blue (Horned Violet)

Free-flowering and heat tolerant, Viola 'Sorbet Icy Blue' (Horned Violet) is a compact, semi-evergreen perennial prized for its abundance of small, pale porcelain-blue flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), adorned with sky-blue centers and a tiny yellow eye. Flowering is so prolific that it obscures the foliage when the plant is in full bloom. Being small, the flowers hold up to rainy winter weather much better than large pansies. Produced from early spring to late fall, the blossoms arise from a low, bushy mound of crinkled, rounded, 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. Its flowers are edible and wonderful in festive salads or to garnish platters and plates.

• Easily growing up to 6-8 in. tall and wide (15-20 cm). This plant tends to be biennial, putting on vegetative growth the first year, blooming the second before it dies. However, this plant self-seeds readily and may remain in the garden (although the seedlings may not come true to type).
• A full sun to 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 seed sown in late winter or early spring.