Violas ( Viola ) are popular and frost-resistant flowers that bloom profusely from early spring to late autumn, delighting with their brightness and diverse colors. Various varieties of violas are available - large-flowered, small-flowered, curly and drooping, which are perfectly suited for various flower plantings - in beds, hanging baskets, flower boxes. Violas are easy to care for, their flowers do not fade in the sun and retain the clarity of their colors.

Do you know?

Widow's lilies are one of the oldest flowering plants cultivated by humans, which were used not only for decorative but also for medicinal purposes in Ancient Greece and Rome. 

They later experienced great popularity in Victorian England, when the first large-flowered varieties of widows were bred.

Modern varieties of pansies are mainly created from wild European and Asian violets, with selection resulting in multi-colored and longer-blooming flowers than their wild relatives, the tricolor pansies ( Viola tricolor ).

Types of widows: which varieties to choose?

· Horned violets ( Viola cornuta ) form a bushy and tall shrub, abundantly covered with tiny flowers;

· The large-flowered pansy ( Viola x wittrockiana ) is a hybrid of several wild pansies. The flower can often exceed the size of the plant itself. Modern varieties of large-flowered pansies have been selected that are resistant to heat and precipitation;

· The curly widows are bred from Viola x wittrockiana varieties with wavy or ruffled petals. Orchid-like flower;

· Hanging violets are selected from Viola x wittrockiana or Viola cornuta varieties with hanging shoots. Hanging violets are suitable for planting not only in hanging pots, flower boxes, but also in beds, where they will form a dense flowering carpet.

Planting Widows: 3 reasons to choose them?

·Widows bloom early – in late March, early April. They are not harmed by frost and short-term frost;

·Compared to spring bulbs, they continue to bloom for a long time if their seed pods and faded flowers are regularly pinched off and the plant is regularly fed;

·In balcony boxes, even in our climatic conditions, it is possible to plant widow's marigolds even in September - in warm autumns they will bloom until November, when other flowers will have long since frozen over;

Widowmaker care: how to ensure long-lasting flowering?

Widows grow best in moist but well-drained soil. Widows are suitable for planting in the sun, but will bloom longer in partial shade. They should be watered daily in hot weather, but 2-3 times a week in cooler weather. To promote long-lasting flowering, it is recommended to add a balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g. one with a high potassium content) every two weeks;