Viola - Johnny Jump Ups

Known as Johnny-Jump-Up or Heartsease Viola is an annual in temperate climates that easily self-seed. They like to grow in a moist, shady spots, lending their deep velvety blue, purple and yellow colours to the spring or autumn garden. When planted in beds near the lawn, they will eject their seeds into the thatch and eventually “jump up” in delightful colonies. It is best to direct seed in a fertile garden bed in spring or start early in the greenhouse in small pots. Their blooms can be picked, washed and added to salads, floated in cocktails and even frozen in ice cubes for a decorative touch at garden parties.