Viola - Pansy Black Crystal Seeds

Viola (x) wittrockiana 'Black Crystal' is an especially dark variety of pansy that is ideal for creating beautiful colour contrasts in flowerbeds and planters. Its velvety black flowers with their small yellow centres enhance pastel and vivid hues alike. Sow this small, abundantly flowering biennial plant from February to April for an earlier summer flowering or from June to August, for flowering in the following spring. Easy to grow in humus-rich, moist soil with a position in sun or partial shade.

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 the windowsill.

Garden pansies, sometimes referred to as violas or violets, 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 'Black Crystal' 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 date the seeds were sown. Its flowers are medium-sized, 6 cm wide, wide open, silky, almost pure black and are centred around a tiny bright yellow and white eye. 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, wallflowers, grape-hyacinth, daisies... and even with grasses such as Japanese sedge for graphic effect in a more contemporary garden scene. 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.