Viola ‘Gem Pink Antique’

Viola cornuta

Features

  • Edible
  • Medium producer
  • Suitable for containers

Description

Flowers open to display beautiful violet-purple petals that fade to an iridescent mauve and older blooms have hints of turquoise offering so much variation in one planting! Left to grow, flowers make the sweetest cuts for tiny bouquets and have a good, upright growth habit. Lovely in either pots or the landscape, ‘Gem Pink Antique’ looks spectacular when planted en masse and pairs beautifully with ‘Panola Pink Shades’ pansies.

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

Flowers open to display beautiful violet-purple petals that fade to an iridescent mauve and older blooms have hints of turquoise offering so much variation in one planting! Left to grow, flowers make the sweetest cuts for tiny bouquets and have a good, upright growth habit. Lovely in either pots or the landscape, ‘Gem Pink Antique’ looks spectacular when planted en masse and pairs beautifully with ‘Panola Pink Shades’ pansies.

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.