Viola x cornuta Sorbet XP Red - Pansy

Viola 'Sorbet Red' is an annual pansy variety from the excellent XP series, which produces robust and compact plants with early and abundant flowering for long months. This lovely variety bears small flowers with a colour somewhere between red and brown, a rich and deep shade like mahogany. The colour is enhanced by a velvety texture, small black cilia applied at the base of the petals, and a golden centre. It beautifully accompanies spring bulbs, and blooms perfectly at the base of autumn asters. This small biennial quickly spreads its dark and evergreen mat in rockeries, and also creates charming borders and opulent pots. Plant it in humus-rich soil, in partial shade or dappled sunlight.

Viola cornuta belongs to the Violaceae family, and grows wild in the Pyrenees. It is a low-growing perennial plant that has given rise to many hybrids. Often crossed with Viola tricolor, their most famous descendants are garden pansies. The 'Sorbet XP Red' variety is a creeping herbaceous plant measuring 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) in height when flowering, with dark green, ovate, and crenate leaves forming a spreading tuft. This foliage persists in winter. The plant is covered with flowers from spring to autumn. Its flowers resemble those of small pansies, but their petals are arranged differently. The two upper petals are erect, while the other three are inclined downwards. The plant spreads quite rapidly with its rhizomes. It self-seeds easily in the garden, but not always faithfully. 

Horned pansies are intended for flower beds, borders, pots, and balconies, where they can be planted with other spring and summer flowering plants (forget-me-nots, dwarf daffodils, daisies, primroses, botanical tulips, and autumn asters, etc.). The flowers are edible, so decorate your plates with one or two flowers, or even add some to your salads.

Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners. Upon receipt, transplant them as soon as possible in pots, flower boxes, or directly in flower beds.