Viola ‘Gem Apricot Antique’

Viola cornuta

Features

  • Edible
  • Medium producer
  • Suitable for containers

Description

This unique viola has an iridescent quality to it. Blooms unfurl to reveal antique plum petals dusted with gold and the effect makes them lean peach, which gradually lightens over time. Some flowers have striking turquoise veining and splotches. Highly fragrant flowers are held on strong stems, growing upright with their faces showing above the foliage canopy.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 10 to 13 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 4 to 6 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 8 to 12 weeks before last frost. Seeds require darkness to germinate, so cover lightly. Pansies can withstand a light frost, so cold-climate gardeners can pick a transplant date that is about 2 weeks before the last frost.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when the flowers are starting to open. Stems lengthen over time. Expect a vase life of 5 to 7 days.

Details

Description

This unique viola has an iridescent quality to it. Blooms unfurl to reveal antique plum petals dusted with gold and the effect makes them lean peach, which gradually lightens over time. Some flowers have striking turquoise veining and splotches. Highly fragrant flowers are held on strong stems, growing upright with their faces showing above the foliage canopy.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 10 to 13 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 4 to 6 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 8 to 12 weeks before last frost. Seeds require darkness to germinate, so cover lightly. Pansies can withstand a light frost, so cold-climate gardeners can pick a transplant date that is about 2 weeks before the last frost.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when the flowers are starting to open. Stems lengthen over time. Expect a vase life of 5 to 7 days.

Sources

How to Grow

Seed-Saving Mini Course

Learn how to save seed from zinnia, dahlia, and celosia

In our upcoming free, three-part video series, you’ll learn everything you need to know to save seeds on a home scale, including how plants are pollinated and isolation techniques to ensure varieties come back true, how to tell when plants are ready to pick and how to harvest the seeds, and how to properly dry, clean, and store seeds long term.