Viola ‘Gem Heavenly Blue’
Viola cornuta
Description
One of the first violas to flower in our patch, ‘Gem Heavenly Blue’ has an extended bloom window and a similar growth habit to ‘Gem Pink Antique’. Petite faces are a pale, metallic periwinkle-blue tone and are carried above the foliage in an upright growth habit. These little gems are self-cleaning—there is no need to deadhead old flowers. These sweet blooms remind us of forget-me-nots.
Details
Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 12 to 14 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 4 to 6 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 12 to 14 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
One of the first violas to flower in our patch, ‘Gem Heavenly Blue’ has an extended bloom window and a similar growth habit to ‘Gem Pink Antique’. Petite faces are a pale, metallic periwinkle-blue tone and are carried above the foliage in an upright growth habit. These little gems are self-cleaning—there is no need to deadhead old flowers. These sweet blooms remind us of forget-me-nots.
Details
Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 12 to 14 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 4 to 6 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 12 to 14 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
Sources
How to Grow
Winter Mini Course: Seed-Starting 101
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In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.
