Superba® Mini(penny) Delft Blue

Class

Dicotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Violaceae

Order

Malpighiales

Genus

Viola

Species

cuckold

Description

A small ornamental herbaceous plant prized for its lush and elegant blooms, which appear from early autumn until the end of spring in a profusion of small flowers.

Its compact growth habit makes it perfect for use in landscaping, in flowerbeds or borders, as well as for decorating balconies and terraces in planters or pots, even when combined with other species.

Resistant to low winter temperatures, it adds a splash of colour at times when other plants are often dormant.

Variety description

The ‘Viola Superba Mini’ is highly branched, compact and uniform. It is an early-flowering variety and produces numerous flowers that completely cover the foliage. It is suitable for high-density cultivation, and therefore for packs and small pots. It is suitable for both autumn and spring production, with no need for vernalisation to encourage flowering. Thanks to its naturally compact growth habit, it does not stretch in the heat, making it suitable for early transplanting in late summer and allowing it to be grown without the use of growth regulators. Due to its ability to flower continuously even during the coldest periods and under snow, it is one of the most suitable varieties for landscaping, as well as for balconies.

Curiosities and special features

The horned violet is often associated with happiness and prosperity; it also symbolises the memory of an important person or event. Some varieties are grown for their flowers, which are used to add colour and flavour to salads and dishes.

Origin and distribution

A species native to the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains; first described in the 18th century by the Swedish physician and naturalist Carl Linnaeus, it immediately aroused interest in Central Europe, adorning the gardens of historic residences and the flowerbeds of parks. The wide range of varieties available today stems from cross-breeding, including between different species belonging to the same genus, Viola, and is characterised by a variety of features such as the plant’s habit, the size and shape of the flowers, and the colour tones of their petals.

Flower size

Flower is small, lending elegance to the thriving bloom.

Leaf

Leaf has a lanceolate lamina.

Flowering period

It flowers from early autumn to late spring for a period of between 120 and 220 days, adding a unique decorative touch to gardens or terraces even during the coldest times of the year.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured Leaf.

Plant height

The plant ranges in height from 0.1 to 0.15 m and is ideal as a foreground plant in flowerbeds or borders to create colourful clusters, even when combined with other ornamental herbaceous plants.

Lifespan

Herbaceous annual.

Where to plant

Versatile in use, it is considered one of the perfect ornamentals to add an accent of elegance and colour in outdoor spaces such as flowerbeds, balconies, borders, planters, tubs

Stem

It has a herbaceous stem and the plant has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in shape, small in size, with an irregular corolla. The petals are two-toned with a distinctive pattern. It flowers from early autumn to late spring, with a flowering period of between 120 and 220 days. It gives off a sweet, delicate fragrance.

Growth

A compact-growing variety, ideal for creating uniform and well-proportioned arrangements.

Plant habit

Globose habitus.

Branching

Theabundant branching allows for a dense and proportionate decorative result.

PH

The pH of the ideal soil or medium for viola cornuta is sub-acidic, with optimum values between 5.5 and 5.9.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting into the bed, carry out light digging to remove weeds, any residues from previous crops and bulky stones. We also recommend adding and possibly burying 5/10 cm of good soil on the soil surface to improve the environment where the plants will take root.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half shade, bright shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 10 and 18 °C. The biological temperature range is between 2 and 30 °C; this plant is easy to grow and extremely versatile in flowerbeds and planters.

Use

Cultivated and cherished by professionals and gardening enthusiasts of all levels of experience, across a range of applications such as:
Outdoor landscape design Landscaping Outdoor ornamental planting

Hardiness

A hardy variety which copes well with cold winter weather when grown in a flowerbed.

Soil

For proper growth the ideal soil is medium-textured, draining and with organic matter; for use in planters or tubs a spring plant soil containing peat and perlite is recommended.

Difficulty

An easy-to-grow variety of horned violet; the low level of care required by the plant gives it added value.

Growing tips

Some specific cultivation tips for better vegetative growth followed by a profuse flowering:

Avoid over-watering For good, abundant and continuous flowering, you need to fertilise well in both autumn and spring when growth resumes, and water regularly Exposure to direct sunlight

Combinations with other plants

Suitable for compact, colourful ornamental flowerbed arrangements, and can also be combined with flowers of varying heights to create a sense of depth. Colour combinations may feature shades of the same hue or an alternation of colours chosen from the various available varieties, creating patterns or designs according to personal preference, or with other species such as Bellis perennis, Myosotis sylvatica and Ranunculus asiaticus; even in a smaller space such as window boxes or planters, it can be interplanted with other herbaceous plants to achieve elegant and refined results.

Planting

For planting in flowerbeds, an average density of 30 plants per square metre is recommended in order to ensure the proper development of each plant, thereby achieving a harmonious and proportionate final arrangement. When transplanting, take care not to damage the roots of the seedlings and avoid burying the root balls completely; finally, water immediately after planting.

Watering

Use rainwater or, alternatively, tap water, either manually or via an irrigation system. After transplanting, look after the seedling to ensure proper root development in its new location, keeping the soil at a constant moisture level but not waterlogged. Subsequently, allow the growing medium or soil to dry out slightly after each watering, avoiding sudden drying out; it is advisable to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to the development of fungal diseases and rot. Furthermore, do not water the above-ground parts of the plant from above during the late afternoon or evening.

Fertilising

After proper establishment in the new planting site, carry out regular Fertilisation, proportionate to the needs of the plant, by adding to the soil or medium a balanced liquid fertiliser specifically for ornamental Flower plants, to be diluted in the irrigation water.

Edibility for humans

An ornamental, non-edible variety.

Tip

In autumn flowerbeds, it is interesting to combine them with other colours of pansies, forming monochromatic patches in succession, at least 50–70 cm apart by colour. When planted out in spring, however, it is best grown on its own in a shallow bowl containing several plants, or in a fine terracotta pot or one painted in the typical colours of Delft pottery. It should be fed during frost-free periods with a 15.5.25 fertiliser or similar.