Horned violets are colorful herbaceous plants that usually bloom lushly for one season in the garden or on the balcony. They belong to the violet family (Viola). Breeding and selection have resulted in a large number of varieties and variants in recent years, which differ primarily in terms of flower size and color composition. From March, the mini pansies adorn borders and outdoor containers with their bushy growth and many flowers. The horned violet care is particularly easy and they are colorful and decorative for many weeks. The violets, which are also popular as biennial plants, tolerate light frost well. Horned violets are perennial and hardy. You can find out everything you need to know about caring for horned violets in this article.
Useful information Location Planting Care Watering & fertilizing OverwinteringSpecies Pests & diseases FAQ
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Interesting facts about horned violets
Botanical name: Viola cornuta
Other names: horned violet, mini pansy, pansy, pensée
Use: borders, window boxes, pots, rock gardens, cemetery planting, bowls, balconies, hanging baskets, hanging basket
Origin: Pyrenees, northern Spain
Flower colors: yellow, orange, blue, white, violet, cream-colored, two-tone
Flowering period: autumn, March to May
Special features: the perennial plant species flowers for weeks with the right care. In good conditions, the flowers can self-seed. Hornweilchen are hardy. Although horned violets tolerate frost, it is advisable to cover the plants a little in heavy frost.
In which location does the horned violet feel most comfortable?
Effective spring plantings can be realized from March onwards with this special viola. Some of the bedding plants are also placed on beds and graves in autumn. It is important here that in the event of severe frost protection is provided with fir or fleece. The motley splendor can be planted in baskets, bowls, boxes or on beds. A semi-shady location with humus -rich soil with good drainage is ideal, as waterlogging is not tolerated. In full sun, it is important that the soil is particularly rich in humus and that the violets are always evenly moist.
How do I plant my Horned Violets?
Plant the horned violets in the garden or in the cemetery in autumn or spring. The soil should be well loosened and free of root weeds before planting. With heavy soil, make sure that there is a drainage layer with sand and gravel, because the roots cannot tolerate too much water over a long period of time. Water the flowers deeply before planting. The planting hole should be 10 to 15 cm deep and correspondingly wide. When planting, first put potting soil in the planting hole and then the potted violets. Fill the gap with a mixture of potting soil and soil, making sure that the edge of the potlevel with the floor. Finally , press the root ball well with your hands and water the new planting. When planting in autumn, you should plant in good time before the first frost so that rooting takes place before winter.
When planting in pots, balcony boxes or bowls, it is important that you first fill in a layer of expanded clay as drainage. Viola cornuta can be combined with other species or planted as a single variety. Make sure that the little pansies still have room to develop and that you don’t plant them too densely.
Tip: You can achieve the best effect of the early bloomers by planting in groups. If possible, use several specimens of the same variety and use them over a wide area.
Horn violet flowering time and cut back horn violets: How do I care for my Viola cornuta?
Viola cornuta are absolutely easy-care plants. After planting, it is important to ensure an even water supply without waterlogging. Cleaning out withered flowers leads to a longer flowering period for horned violets, since the violets do not invest any energy in the formation of seeds. When the flowering is over, you can cut back the horned violets with pruning shears. Depending on the variety, a second flowering can occur in autumn. However, the mini pansies often turn yellow in their foliage and die. Planted in the balcony box or in containers, care is the same, but watering is necessary more often.
Fact: If you leave the withered flowers standing, seed formation can occur. The resulting seed can be used for propagation. Depending on the variety, however, the young plants may differ in color because the mother plant is a result of crossing. In good conditions, the flowers will multiply themselves and you will find small seedlings in a different spot next year.
How do I water and fertilize my horned violets?
Horned violets are quite undemanding after planting in the garden. It is important that it never becomes dry or waterlogged. If the horned violets are too dry, the leaves will turn yellow and the number of flowers will be reduced. How often you water depends on the size of the plants, the temperature and the amount of sunlight. This means that in phases without precipitation, especially on sandy soils, additional watering is required. Violas in boxes and pots need a little extra attention, so water them regularly. Since horned violets are perennial, they can still be admired next year with proper care.
Fertilization depends on the soil quality; fertilization is not absolutely necessary on humus-rich locations. In light sandy soils, you should support the plants with organic garden fertilizer. Viola cornuta in containers can be supplied with liquid fertilizer at intervals of 2 to 3 weeks from April.
Overwintering horn violets: Do horn violets tolerate frost?
Since horned violets are hardy and tolerate frost, the genus Viola can remain in the garden all year round. Some brushwood can be placed on the plants to protect the flowers and leaves. Covering is recommended, especially when the seasonal plants are already in bloom. In spring, visible damage is often attributed to wintertime, but it is often the result of drying out during the winter.
Horned violets perennial: Which viola species are there?
In addition to the horned violet with small flowers, the pansy (Viola wittrockiana) in particular is cultivated as a seasonal plant. In addition to the taller growth (up to 30 cm), the larger flower is the main distinguishing feature. Furthermore, the small-flowered representatives bloom more profusely and are less susceptible to precipitation. Pansies are available in many different color combinations and are identical in care to the miniature form.
Known as sweet violet, Viola odorata is a perennial herb. In partial shade, it delights year after year with a large number of violet flowers and a fine fragrance.
Planting and caring for pansies — plants AZ
Pansies and horned violets are closely related and very similar, but not identical. Tips for caring for, planting and overwintering pansies can be found here.
Caring for pansies
diseases and pests
Viola cornuta are robust plants and, with optimal care, are not very susceptible to diseases and pests. A possible problem can be:
gray mold
In unfavorable weather or weakened plants, gray mold (Botrytis) can occur. The plants have a grayish-brown mycelium. Moisture encourages infestation, so keep plants drier if possible. In the event of a massive infestation, you should cut back the affected horned violets, dispose of the affected parts of the plant with household waste and treat the plant with bio-active agents.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Which plants are suitable for the combination?
All spring plants such as primroses, forget-me-nots, Bellis, tulips or daffodils and grasses, ivy, box, small conifers and structural plants are ideal for combining.
How can horned violets be propagated?
The most common method of propagation is by seed. From May the seed can be sown directly into the bed. Or the cultivation takes place in cultivation boxes on the balcony or terrace. The germination temperature should be between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius. If it is too cold or too hot, germination can be inhibited. Make sure the seed is sunny and kept evenly moist.
Are horned violets hardy?
Wondering if horned violets are hardy? Basically, the miniature variety is more tolerant of low temperatures than conventional pansies. Low temperatures are particularly damaging in combination with prolonged drought and intense winter sun. Even if horned violets tolerate frost, it is advisable to use brushwood to cover the horned violets in extreme phases to protect them. In climatically unfavorable regions, plants are only planted after winter to be on the safe side.
How long do horned violets bloom?
The horned violet flowering period includes a main flowering period from March to June. Some varieties bloom into late summer. When planted in autumn, the bedding plants can delight with individual flowers in September and October. It is important that horned violets are protected with brushwood in winter.