We all remember the singing violas from Disney's
Alice in Wonderland, and planting these sweet flowers in your garden will have you humming "All in the Golden Afternoon" as well. Like their relative the pansy, violas
(Viola tricolor) light up gray days with happy colors and sweet fragrance. They’re a wonderful overwintering plant and self-sow readily. Rain really beats down pansy flowers, but violas bounce back quickly. Violas, also known by their twee name "Johnny jump-up," are smaller than pansies (between the size of a nickel and a quarter) but have more flowers per plant. They come in purple, blue, yellow, white, and cream and bi-colored varieties ('Penny Mickey' is pictured here). Use violas for mass color in borders and edging, as covers for spring
bulbs, or for quick color in winter containers. Violas take sun or part shade. Pick flowers to prolong bloom. Remove plants in summer if they begin to look ragged, but they will self-sow if allowed to.