CORSICAN VIOLET Viola corsica

A little-known species of violet, these plants form a low mound of bright green leaves, bearing loads of violet-blue flowers, each bloom with a yellow centre and a whiskered face! The flowers are produced through the spring and into summer, and unlike many other violet, the flowers persist even in hot summer regions! Nice in the rock garden or in pots. This plant will self seed gently around when the site suits it well. Said to be drought tolerant and more reliably perennial than most other viola.

Hardiness zones: 4-9

Note: These seeds and plants can be harmful if eaten. Ingestion can cause illness such as vomiting or diarrhea.

Seeds per pack: 5

Germination: As with many perennials, these seeds require a period of moist cold to help them break dormancy. This is done by giving them a cold 'winter' period (artificial or natural), and then a warming to simulate 'spring', and time to grow! Here's how this can be done:

Obtain a planting container that has holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Place the seeds just under the surface of your growing medium, and water. Place your container in a cold area (but not freezing, perhaps a refrigerator) for 5-6 weeks. Once the cold period is completed, place the container at room temperature for them to germinate. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period.

Alternatively, these seeds can also be planted outdoors in fall, winter, or early spring, while temperatures are still cold (but ground is workable) to germinate naturally in spring. Be sure to mark the area where you planted them, and that the soil is consistently moist.