Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society

—by Suzana Wilmot

By late winter, just about now, I always find myself craving colour in the garden. That’s when beautiful little violas (Viola spp.) really come through. They bloom early, often while the garden still feels half asleep, and their cheerful little flowers make even the bleakest spots come alive. They never fail to lift my spirits.

Violas and pansies (which are their bigger-flowered hybridized cousins) belong to the same family and genus of plants. While their petal arrangements are different, both grow and bloom in much the same way, thriving in cool weather, flowering prolifically, and bringing colour wherever they are planted. They are great in containers, rock gardens, raised beds, along pathways, or as the front layer of a garden border.

Both violas and pansies are incredibly easy to grow from seed, though starting with young plants is the fastest way to get blooms. I grow them from seed, starting indoors in late February or March, or sowing outdoors once the soil can be worked. I press the seeds gently onto the soil surface without covering them, because they need light to germinate. Keep the soil lightly moist in a cool, bright spot, and seedlings usually appear in a week or two, or a bit longer – I’ve had a few come up after more than a month!

Once they reach about eight centimeters or so, harden them off for a few days, then pick a sunny or partially shaded spot with well-drained soil, loosen it a bit, and space the plants close together. Water well when you plant, and then just keep the soil lightly moist.

Taking care of these plants is easy, too. They like consistent moisture but don’t tolerate soggy soil. Deadheading faded flowers encourages more blooms, but they’ll keep flowering even if you don’t. Cool temperatures suit them perfectly, and a little frost won’t hurt them. They bloom for weeks, sometimes months, and many will bounce back again in the fall, after the heat of the summer dies down. It’s not uncommon to see them blooming through the first snow – or even the second. Some also self-seed, so leaving the seed pods in place can save you some planting next year.

There’s a great selection of viola and pansy seeds in Canada. Last year I tried viola ‘Bunny Ears’ and loved them. Their upright petals are playful and fun, and they bloom profusely. I also tried the ‘Swiss Giant’ pansy, which has big, cheerful heads you can see across the yard. Their deep, rich, velvety colours amazed me. ‘Fairyland’ is sweet and a joy to look at. They are incredibly hardy, long-lasting, edible, and always bring a smile to my face. I’m a bit more careful with the classic ‘Johnny-Jump-Ups’ – while resilient and charming, they never truly leave my garden, popping up here and there as if just for fun. While not invasive, they can be a tad persistent, although not overly hard to remove if you really want them gone. Along similar lines, a word of warning: those sweet little violets we loved as children can spread fast, so it’s best to keep them out of the garden.

If you prefer native varieties, you’re in luck: Ontario has a number of beautiful native violas that come in many different colours and attract moths and butterflies. Some are also delicately fragrant – what a treat! (These days, it’s hard to find cultivated varieties with that sweet, familiar scent, but breeders are working on bringing it back.)

What I love most about violas and pansies is how early and generously they bloom. They turn early spring into a season that feels joyful and alive, even before most other plants have started to wake up. Plant them as soon as you can – once their colourful little faces greet you across the yard, you won’t regret it. Sometimes, the simplest choices are the most rewarding.

Join us on Monday, April 13 at the Oro Medonte Community Centre for an evening with Sean James. He’ll be talking about Looks Good Enough to Eat! Permaculture: Living on Your Land. Expect a mix of practical ideas for growing your own food, ways to make the most of small urban yards, and simple tips for blending ornamentals with edible natives and perennials.

On May 11, we welcome Angelique Mesei. She’ll walk us through how to plan, design and build a brand‑new garden from the ground up. Her focus is on eco‑friendly choices and smart water use, especially helpful if you’re starting fresh on a new property. That same night is our Spring Flower Show, always a bright spot in the season. This year’s design theme is Wonders of Spring.

Looking a little further ahead, mark down Monday, June 22. Patrick Jackson, Invasive Species Program Co‑ordinator with the Severn Sound Environmental Association, will be joining us to talk about garden invasives and planting for pollinators. We’ll also be holding our Early Summer Flower Show, with a design theme of Coast to Coast to Coast.

All our meetings are held at the Oro-Medonte Community Centre on Highway 11 South, starting at 7 p.m. 

Become a member and stay connected—visit www.oromedontehorticulturalsociety.ca for details.