Viola 'Bowles's Black'

Also Known As

Viola cornuta 'Bowles Black'
Viola nigra 'Bowle's Black'
Viola nigra 'Bowles Black'
Bowles Black Viola
Bowles Black Violet
Heart's Ease
Heart's Ease
Johnny Jump Up
Johnny Jump Up

Plant type

perennial, groundcover, annual / biennial

size

H: 6"-8"
W: 8"-12"

planting zones

7b-11

More Options

Viola 'Bowles's Black' plant details

Viola 'Bowles's Black' is a broadleaf semi-evergreen annual / biennial or perennial groundcover with green foliage. In spring and summer black and burgundy flowers emerge. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Viola 'Bowles's Black'

Plant type: annual / biennial or perennial groundcover
Plant family: violaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 8 IN - 12 IN - wide, 6 IN - 8 IN - tall
Flowers: black and burgundy blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, cottage garden, edging plant, floriferous, self-sowing

GROWING CONDITIONS for Viola 'Bowles's Black'

USDA Zones: 7b - 11
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Viola x cornuta 'Bowles Black' has masses of dark purple to almost black petals that merge to violet with black whiskers and bright yellow centres. Delightful in containers, hanging baskets, in vegetable beds for their edible petals, as a ground cover, and at the front of borders where they can self-sow. Long-blooming. As plants get leggy after blooming for months chop back by two thirds. Plants will quickly reflush with more growth and flowers.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

This little gem, considered as a hardy annual, is one of those cottage garden plants which delightfully self sowing in bare spots in the garden, offering almost black mini pansies in endless supply. We found that by by growing 'Bowle's Black' in partial shade and well drained soil, this little guy was in bloom spring though autumn! Reaches 6-8" in height, perhaps shorter and tighter in full sun.

By: Avant Gardens

Named for the famous English horticulturalist E. A. Bowles, this Johnny-jump-up has eggplant purple little flowers with gold splashed centers that bloom spring to summer and again late into fall. It forms generous drifts from self sowing wherever it's happy. I for one can't be without it!

By: Select Seeds

Violets have long been associated with faithfulness, and this delicate beauty holds true to her promise, blooming nonstop from spring until frost. Lifted on thin stems just above small, green scalloped leaves, the lavish display of dainty, midnight black flowers achieves a velvet luxury as deep purple accents surround golden eyes. Always appreciative of a good trimming, this compact Violet can be naturalized under a shrub, situated amid Alchemilla erythropoda by the patio or planted in a favored terracotta vessel.

By: Digging Dog Nursery

This delightful cottage garden favorite adds a smidge of goth to any garden! Shiny, inky-black, dainty, fragrant, 1” flowers with yellow eyes bloom in profusion year round, for months on compact 8" tall plant. Charmingly small but mighty, it’s perfect as an edger, in containers, or peaking out of the cracks of your rockery & pavers. Cut it back after flowering & it renews itself. It loves to reseed, too!