Viola cornuta Martin

Viola cornuta 'Martin' or Horned Violet is a small perennial creeping  plant that is easy to grow and has a generous and long flowering period. Its numerous flowers bloom from spring until the end of summer, adding a touch of blue-violet to borders and balconies with their beautiful petals. These intense hues contrast with the spring yellows and shimmer in the summer sun. To keep it happy, place it in partial shade or indirect sunlight and in a damp and rich soil.

The 'Martin' Horned Violet is a spreading perennial with a height not exceeding 15 cm (6in) and a width of 20 cm (8in). Its base consists of a rosette of oval, slightly dentate leaves, of a beautiful dense and shiny green, which remain during winter. From this base emerge upright but flexible and rather fragile stems. They bear pretty little flowers measuring 2 to 3 cm (1in) at their tips. They have 5 petals: 2 overlapping at the top, 2 spreading laterally, and the last one completes the bottom with sometimes a little 'dimple on the chin'. This arrangement of petals, as well as the patterns they are adorned with, indeed give them the appearance of a mischievous face. In shades of red, copper, with some touches of brown and yellow, they display a set of shimmering and lively hues.

This perennial, whose lifespan is not exceptionally long, self-seeds spontaneously and can withstand the cold. It prefers ordinary soils, not too dry, and can make do with a little sun. It will thrive at the front of borders, between the slabs of a path, or on a damp rockery.

Like all horned violets, Viola cornuta 'Martin' is a welcome addition to spring planters. Alongside Crocuses, Daffodils, Daisies, and Tulips, it provides a spectacle in spring and continues to bloom until autumn. To find summer companions for it, take inspiration from our 'white-blue' garden and create a two-tone display with varying intensities.