Viola × wittrockiana 'Ruffles Dark Heart'
pansy (syn. Viola × wittrockiana)
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or general-purpose potting compost for containers
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: milder spells from October to May
- Hardiness: fully hardy (but short-lived)
Large, boldly ruffled flowers, featuring greyish-purple petals edged in pale yellow and speckled with dusky brown-violet. Tailored for the UK climate, ‘Ruffles Dark Heart’ boasts exceptional heat and cold tolerance and an upright habit with compact, evergreen foliage which all but disappears beneath frilly blooms over a long season. Versatile in borders and containers, this hardy perennial thrives in moist, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, and its extended flowering period, low maintenance, and striking appearance make it a top choice for gardeners seeking long-lasting colour and texture in outdoor planting schemes.
Supplied as rooted cuttings, these violas are best grown on in individual pots in a protected frost-free environment such as a cool greenhouse or brightly lit windowsill before hardening off and planting out. Plant out in compost or well-drained, humus-rich soil that is not frozen or prone to waterlogging. Protect young plants from slug damage using environmentally friendly slug pellets or beer traps. Deadhead the spent blooms to prolong flowering.