Viola ‘Northern Lights’ is a unique, appealing plant, known for its distinctive appearance and adaptability. It provides consistent color throughout the growing season, making it popular among both novice and experienced gardeners.
Distinctive Features of Viola ‘Northern Lights’
Viola ‘Northern Lights’ has vibrant, multicolored blooms with shades of purple, yellow, and orange. These colors often blend across the five-petaled flowers, creating a shimmering effect reminiscent of the aurora borealis. Bloom size ranges from 1.25 to 1.75 inches.
The plant has a compact, mounding, and sometimes trailing growth habit, reaching a mature height of 5 to 8 inches and spreading about 8 to 20 inches wide. Its deep green, ovate leaves form a base for the floral display. This perennial blooms profusely from early spring through fall, often reblooming in milder climates during winter.
Planting and Cultivation
Proper planting techniques and site selection are key for Viola ‘Northern Lights’. The ideal time for planting is in early spring after the danger of hard frost has passed, or in the fall in warmer regions. These plants thrive in partial shade to partial sun, tolerating full sun in cooler climates with adequate moisture. In hotter areas, afternoon shade helps prevent stress.
The soil should be fertile, well-drained, and rich in organic matter. Violas prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil pH. When planting, space individual plants 10 to 12 inches apart to allow for their mounding and spreading habit. After planting, consistent watering is important for establishment.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Once established, Viola ‘Northern Lights’ requires consistent care for continuous blooming. These plants have moderate water needs and prefer consistently moist soil, especially given their shallow root system. Avoid overhead irrigation, as this can lead to fungal issues. During dry spells, supplemental watering may be necessary to prevent wilting.
A light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring and late summer encourages prolific blooming. Monthly fertilization supports sustained vigor. Deadheading spent blooms regularly promotes new flower production and prevents seed formation.
Light pruning or shearing back by about half after a flush of blooms helps maintain a compact shape and refresh the foliage, particularly if the plant becomes leggy. In hardiness zones 5 through 9, this viola is cold-hardy, with foliage often remaining semi-evergreen in milder winters. Applying a layer of mulch helps regulate soil temperature and moisture, providing added protection in extreme weather.
Common Issues and Solutions
Viola ‘Northern Lights’ is generally resistant to many pests and diseases, but some issues may occur. Powdery mildew may appear as white or gray patches on leaves, especially during humid conditions. Ensuring good air circulation by proper spacing and avoiding overhead watering helps prevent this. Affected leaves should be removed to limit spread.
Slugs and snails can sometimes cause damage by rasping holes in leaves. Monitoring for their presence and using appropriate baits or barriers can mitigate this.
Yellowing leaves can indicate over or under-watering, or a nutrient deficiency. Adjusting watering practices and providing balanced fertilization typically resolves this.
If plants become leggy with stretched stems, it often suggests insufficient light or over-fertilization, particularly with nitrogen. Trimming back leggy growth and ensuring adequate light exposure encourages bushier development. A lack of blooms might stem from insufficient light, inadequate nutrients, or excessive heat; addressing these environmental factors can help restore flowering.