Viola Rococo - Swiss Garden Pansy Seeds

Viola (x) wittrockiana 'Rococo' is a variety of pansy that lives up to its name: this breed, more than any other, offers an infinite variety of superb, motley, multicoloured hues, enhanced by very wavy, silky petals. Planted in large groups, these pansies produce a multicoloured surge of colour recalling the splendour and pomp of the rococo style, which is baroque and rocaille at the same time. Place them in borders, window boxes or pots. This small, abundantly flowering biennial plant can be sown from February to April for summer flowering or from June to August for flowering the following spring. It is easy to grow in humus-rich, moist soil in a sunny or partially shaded position.

This tender little flower with retro appeal recalls the chromolithographs of bygone days. Often undervalued because it is misused in public spaces, it nevertheless deserves a special spot in the garden just as much as on windowsills.

Garden pansies, sometimes referred to as Swiss Giant Pansies, are actually hybrids which are bundled together in the Viola x wittrockiana group. They belong to the family Violaceae and are usually cultivated as annuals or biennials even though theoretically, they are short-lived perennials. The 'Rococo' variety is a plant that quickly forms small, slightly spreading clumps that measure 15 cm high and around 20 cm wide. It either flowers early, from late winter to late spring, or late from late spring to late summer, depending on the time of sowing. Its flowers are large, 8 cm wide, wide open and are made up of petals with very frilly edges. The medium green leaves are elliptical and widely crenate. They persist in winter.  

If you like having it in the garden, you will appreciate it most in a window box sitting on a window sill, where you can have it right under your nose without having to venture out into the cold weather. Combine pansies with, for example: primroses, sweet potato vine 'Sweet Caroline', wallflowers, grape-hyacinth, daisies... and even with grasses such as Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum for graphic effect in a more modern look. Use the colours of pansies to contrast with white, pink, pale blue or warm colours and obtain different ambiances.

Pansy petals are edible and their colours will bring a touch of originality to your salads and pastries. For this, just grow them as you would your vegetables, in the most natural way possible.