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Viola - Pansy Black Crystal Seeds

Viola x wittrockiana Black Cristal
Pansy, Swiss Giant Pansy, Garden Pansy, Violet

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An original and extremely dark variety of pansy featuring velvety, medium-sized, black flowers with small yellow centres. Sow this small, abundantly flowering biennial plant from February to April for an earlier summer flowering or from June to August, for flowering in the following spring. Easy to grow in cool, moist soil with a position in sun or partial shade. Combine with white daffodils for a striking contrast! 
Flower size
6 cm
Height at maturity
15 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Annual / Perennial
Biennial
Germination time (days)
21 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
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Sowing period May to July
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Flowering time February to November
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Description

Viola (x) wittrockiana 'Black Crystal' is an especially dark variety of pansy that is ideal for creating beautiful colour contrasts in flowerbeds and planters. Its velvety black flowers with their small yellow centres enhance pastel and vivid hues alike. Sow this small, abundantly flowering biennial plant from February to April for an earlier summer flowering or from June to August, for flowering in the following spring. Easy to grow in humus-rich, moist soil with a position in sun or partial shade.

This tender little flower with retro appeal recalls the chromolithographs of bygone days. Often undervalued because it is misused in public spaces, it nevertheless deserves a special spot in the garden just as much as on the windowsill.

Garden pansies, sometimes referred to as violas or violets, are actually hybrids which are bundled together in the Viola x wittrockiana group. They belong to the family Violaceae and are usually cultivated as annuals or biennials even though theoretically, they are short-lived perennials. The 'Black Crystal' variety is a plant that quickly forms small, slightly spreading clumps that measure 15 cm high and around 20 cm wide. It either flowers early, from late winter to late spring, or late from late spring to late summer, depending on the date the seeds were sown. Its flowers are medium-sized, 6 cm wide, wide open, silky, almost pure black and are centred around a tiny bright yellow and white eye. The medium green leaves are elliptical and widely crenate. They persist in winter. 

If you like having it in the garden, you will appreciate it most in a window box sitting on a window sill, where you can have it right under your nose without having to venture out into the cold weather. Combine pansies with, for example: primroses, wallflowers, grape-hyacinth, daisies... and even with grasses such as Japanese sedge for graphic effect in a more contemporary garden scene. Use the colours of pansies to contrast with white, pink, pale blue or warm colours and obtain different ambiances.

Pansy petals are edible and their colours will bring a touch of originality to your salads and pastries. For this, just grow them as you would your vegetables, in the most natural way possible.

Flowering

Flower colour black
Flowering time February to November
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 6 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 15 cm
Spread at maturity 20 cm
Growth rate fast

Botanical data

Genus

Viola

Species

x wittrockiana

Cultivar

Black Cristal

Family

Violaceae

Other common names

Pansy, Swiss Giant Pansy, Garden Pansy, Violet

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference859231

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Planting and care

Calendar : Sow pansies from February to April for summer flowering or from June to August for flowering the following spring.

Bury the seeds to a depth of 1.5 mm, in a terrine filled with good sowing soil. Cover, for example with a sheet of newspaper, since darkness is beneficial to germination. Keep at a temperature of 15 to 18° while keeping the soil moist. Germination takes between 14 and 21 days. Beware of excessively high temperatures which prevent the seedlings from emerging.

When the young plants are sufficiently developed to be handled, prick out into pots and let them grow whilst adapting them progressively to outside conditions over a period of 15 days. Plant your pansies out in the sun or in partial shade in the garden, taking care to leave 25 to 30 cm distance between each plant.

For late winter/early spring seedlings, wait for all risk of frost to pass before planting out.

Cultivation : Since pansies flower abundantly and grow quickly, they are very gluttonous and need a sunny or partial shaded position. They thrive in humus-rich, neutral to acidic, moist, fertile soil. Give them plant feed for planters once to twice a week during their phase of growth. Water regularly but not exceedingly. Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms.

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Sowing period

Sowing period May to July
Sowing method Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
Germination time (days) 21 days

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil moisture Moist soil, bien drainé

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