Horned Violet

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Horned violet (lat. Viola cornuta) - a low-growing perennial herb of the genus Violet (Lat. Viola) of the Violet family (Lat. Violaceae). The horned violet generously gives abundant dark purple flowering, from April to the penultimate month of summer, July, to its native places in the Pyrenees. Since the mountain range is located on the territories of three European countries at once, one can call the Horned Violet the international flower of the Pyrenees. Breeders have bred many hybrid varieties showing a rich set of flower petal colors.

What's in your name

The horned violet justifies the generic Latin name "Viola", which means "violet" in translation, with its dark purple bloom.

The specific Latin epithet "cornuta" ("horned") went to this species allegedly for a flower spur, located on the back of the flower and having the shape of a horn. But similar spurs are also present in other species of the genus Viola. Therefore, other versions for the specific name are also possible. Looking at the petals of the flower, it can be assumed that the two upper flower petals, directed upward with their rounded-pointed tips, are similar to the horns. Although, they are not so much like horns as they are like hare ears.

Description

Horned violet is a perennial evergreen winter-hardy plant, grown in culture more often as an annual or biennial plant, although it can grow for three to four years in one place. It is the most popular species of the Viola genus for areas with cool weather. Small plants tolerate winter more successfully than their larger counterparts. When growing Violets horned as an ornamental plant for the winter period, it is covered with a layer of mulch from dry grass or evergreen branches.

The branchy stems of the plant, 10 to 25 centimeters high, form a dense groundcover.

Dark green simple leaves are ovoid to oval-elliptical in shape. The tip of the leaf is sharp, the edge is finely serrated. Pronounced veins on the surface of the leaf plate give the leaves a decorative look.

From the axils of the leaves, thin light green peduncles are born, bearing single showy flowers with five petals and a spur on the back of the flower, shaped like a miniature horn. The flowers exude a pleasant aroma. Flower petals are painted in many colors, among which you can find white, yellow, blue, purple, various shades of blue, lavender, pink, red, apricot, red-brown, as well as two-tone color. Against the general background of the flower, there may be contrasting spots or the center of the flower is painted with a contrasting color. Flowering lasts from April to June-July.

The culmination of the growing season is the fruit in the form of a single-celled seed capsule.

Growing conditions

Violet horned prefers fertile, loose soils, moist, but without excess moisture, that is, with good drainage.

When growing Violets horned in one place, she herself takes care of the continuation of life through self-seeding. The initial planting of a plant can be carried out through sowing seeds, or by dividing the bush, resorting to the generosity of neighbors or friends. The horned violet grows rapidly, covering large areas with a dense carpet.

The place for the plant is suitable if it is sunny, which is shaded by other, taller plants in the afternoon.

For longer flowering, wilted flowers are removed. To give the bush an impetus for a new life or to give the bush a compact look, it should be trimmed after flowering.

Although Violet horned staunchly resists diseases and pests, one should be vigilant against snails and slugs, sometimes attacking the foliage of the plant. With excessive moisture, the leaves can be affected by fungal diseases.