Viola cornuta — horned violet
Viola cornuta is the botanical name for the horned violet, the dainty, weather-hardy little cousin of the pansy that flowers for months on end. It is the species behind our viola range within the flower seed collection.
History & origin
The horned violet hails from the Pyrenees mountains of Spain and France, where it grows in cool alpine meadows. That mountain heritage gives it real hardiness and a long flowering season in cool conditions, and it is a key parent of many modern viola hybrids.
The names are descriptive: Viola is the classical Latin name for these flowers, while cornuta means “horned,” for the slender spur that projects backwards from each bloom like a small horn.
Botanical characteristics
A neat, tufted short-lived perennial often grown as a biennial or annual, Viola cornuta carries masses of small, flat-faced flowers with a gentle fragrance in shades of violet, blue, apricot, yellow, cream and white. Compact and tough, it is perfect for edging, the front of a border and pots, making it a charming choice among container-friendly flowers and a happy mat-former among ground-cover flowers; the petals are also edible.
Growing Viola cornuta from seed
Sow in summer for flowering plants the following spring, or in late winter under cover for the same year — the seed germinates best in cool, dark conditions, so cover it lightly. Grow on in a cool spot and plant out into sun or part shade in moist, fertile soil; deadhead to keep the long display going. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.
Ready to grow violas? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.
Related categories: Viola · Container Flowers · Edible Flowers · Ground-Cover Flowers · All Flower Seeds
At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.
What is Viola cornuta?It is the horned violet, a tough, long-flowering little perennial often grown as a biennial or annual and a key parent of modern violas.
What is the difference between a viola and a pansy?Violas like Viola cornuta have smaller, more numerous flowers and are generally hardier and longer-flowering than large-flowered pansies.
When should I sow Viola cornuta seeds?Sow in summer for the following spring, or late winter under cover; cover lightly as it germinates best in the dark. See our
flower sowing calendar for timing.
Are viola flowers edible?Yes — the pretty flowers are edible and make a charming decoration for salads and desserts.
20%€3,96€4,95
€4,95
20%€3,96€4,95
