How to Grow Viola
'Bunny Ears' from Seed
Small violas whose upper petals stand upright like ears, in black, cream and soft lilac. Sow in summer for pots of flowers from early spring.
'Bunny Ears' is a small viola with a charming habit: its two upper petals stand upright and swept back, so each flower looks as though it has ears. The colours run through black, cream and soft lilac, often two or three of them in the same bloom.
It is best sown in summer for flowers from early the following spring, which is when a pot of violas earns its keep. It is happy in sun or partial shade, making it useful for north-facing doorsteps where bedding plants sulk.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Plant Type
Hardy perennial, grown as annual
Sowing Time
Jul to Aug · Feb to Apr
Flowering
April to July
Position
Sun or partial shade
Best For
Pots, troughs, edging
Difficulty
2 out of 5, easy
Understanding the Plant
'Bunny Ears' is listed as a variety of Viola cornuta, the horned violet. It is hardy and naturally perennial, though most gardeners treat it as a bedding plant and sow fresh each year for the most vigorous plants.
Violas prefer cool conditions. They flower hardest in spring and early summer, and slow down in the heat of high summer.
Summer sowing, spring flowers
Sow in July or August, plant out in September or October, and plants flower from early spring. Spring sowings flower the same summer, but less generously.
When & How to Sow
Viola seed germinates best cool and in the dark. High temperatures can stop it germinating, so summer sowings do best in a shaded spot.
Keep it cool
In July and August, germinate trays in the coolest, shadiest place you have, such as a north-facing wall or a garage floor, and check daily once seedlings might appear.
Sow and cover. Sow thinly on damp seed compost and cover with a thin layer of compost, as the seed germinates best in darkness. Keep cool, ideally 15 to 18°C. Seedlings appear in two to three weeks.
Prick out. Move seedlings into modules or small pots once they have true leaves, and grow on in a bright, cool spot.
Plant out. Plant summer sowings out in September or October, 15 to 20cm apart, in pots, troughs or border edges. Plant spring sowings out after hardening off.
Growing On Tips
Sun or shade
Flowers well in partial shade, ideal for north-facing doorsteps.
Deadhead often
Pick off faded flowers every few days to keep plants blooming for months.
Pots and troughs
Compact plants suit containers, window boxes and edging.
Keep moist
Water pots regularly, especially as spring warms up.
Winter hardy
Autumn-planted violas cope with winter cold and flower early in spring.
Midsummer trim
If plants get leggy in summer heat, cut back by half to encourage fresh growth.
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Poor germination | Too warm or seed uncovered | Cover seed and germinate somewhere cool and dark. |
| Flowering stops | Seed pods forming | Deadhead every few days. |
| Leggy plants in summer | Heat | Cut back by half and keep watered. |
| Grey mould on leaves | Damp, crowded plants | Space plants well and remove affected parts. |
| Holes in leaves and flowers | Slugs and snails | Protect plants, especially in damp spring weather. |
When to Expect Flowers
Summer-sown plants flower from April to July the following year. Spring sowings flower in summer, a little less freely.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Sow | ||||||||||||
| 🪴 Plant out | ||||||||||||
| 🌸 Flowering |
Plant Specifications
Violas with ears for spring pots
Sow cool in summer, plant out in autumn and deadhead often. You will have months of black, cream and lilac flowers from early spring.
Shop Viola Bunny Ears Seeds →