Viola x wittrockiana Ruffles Dark Heart - Pansy

Viola 'Ruffles Dark Heart' is an astonishing hybrid with remarkably undulate and colourful double flowers. Overall tricolour, in a rather pastel range, its corollas possess a charm that is both old-fashioned and luxurious. This selection is also characterised by good resistance to heat and snow. The flowering is renewed for weeks on compact and ramified plants. A star of window boxes, it is a perfect little plant to brighten up gardens and balconies. Plant your pansies in rich and moist soil, in a sunny or partially shaded location.

Garden pansies, sometimes called Swiss giant pansies, are hybrids grouped under Viola x wittrockiana. They belong to the Violaceae family and are most often cultivated as annuals or biennials, although they are theoretically short-lived perennials. The 'Ruffles Dark Heart' variety, developed in Germany, produces ramified plants that quickly form compact tufts, 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) tall and 20cm (8in) wide. Their flowering occurs early, from November-December to May. The fully open 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in) wide flowers display petals with a highly undulate edge. The upper side of the petals appears as distinctly as their reverse, so that the softer or warmer nuances of each face blend together, creating a gentle effect. The colour palette includes mauve to pink-mauve, grey, pale-yellow, brighter yellow, and brown-purple-violet with black reflections.

Pansies are wonderful in the garden, but they also work beautifully in a pot on a windowsill to be enjoyed up close. They look perfect alongside primroses, wallflowers, grape hyacinths, and daisies. They even work well with grasses like Japanese sedge for a sculptural effect in a contemporary style. The bluish-green of glaucous fescues also highlights them well.

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

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