Viola cornuta Sorbet Delft Blue mini plug

Viola cornuta 'Sorbet Delft Blue' is exceptional for the delicacy of the patterns that adorn their petals in Delft blue, which seem hand-painted. They bloom early in the season and continue for many months, on vigorous plants. Horned violets accompany spring bulbs and bloom at the base of asters, while in rockeries they quickly spread out their dark and evergreen carpet. They also create charming borders and opulent pots. This biennial is cultivated in humus-rich soil, in partial shade or dappled sunlight.

Belonging to the violet family, the horned violet grows wild in the Pyrenees and is a low perennial plant that has given rise to numerous hybrids. Often crossed with Viola tricolor (wild pansy), their most famous descendants are horticultural pansies. The variety 'Sorbet Xp Delft Blue' is a herbaceous ground cover plant 10 to 15 cm (5.9 in) tall when in flower, with dark green, ovate and crenate evergreen leaves forming a spreading tuft. It is covered in flowers from spring to autumn. Its bright flowers display wide porcelain blue markings on a white background, populated with black stripes radiating from a midnight blue, almost black, center to a small bright yellow center. The petals also have small Prussian blue patterns that enhance the color palette. These exquisite patterns resemble those of the famous Delft tableware - those antique pieces with an Asian appearance but originating from Northern Europe. The flowers almost have the shape of small pansies, but their petals are arranged differently. The two upper ones are erect, blue, while the other three are inclined downwards, adorned with dark or medium blue patterns on a white background. The plant spreads quite rapidly thanks to its rhizomes and also self-seeds very easily in the garden, not always faithfully.

Horned violets are intended for low beds and borders, but also pots and balconies, where they associate well with other spring and summer blooming plants (Forget-me-nots, Dwarf daffodils, Daisies, Primroses, Botanical tulips, summer and autumn asters...). The flowers of horned violets are edible, so don't hesitate to decorate your plates with a few, or even sprinkle some on your salads to add a touch of color.

Please note that our young plants in mini-plugs are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant them as soon as possible into pots, or directly into flower beds.