Viola wittrockiana Ultima Morpho F1 - Swiss Garden Pansy

The Viola x wittrockiana 'Ultima Morpho' F1 is a hybrid pansy with flowers that radiate joy and a wonderful freshness. It has an abundance of medium-sized flowers in a unique colour combination of two perfectly complementary shades. A very bright light blue and an equally radiant lemon-yellow is combined on their silky petals. The plants are compact, very vigorous and free-flowering in spring and autumn. Hybrid pansies are biennial plants that are easy to grow in humus-rich and moist soil, in sun or partial shade.

Garden pansies, sometimes called Swiss giant pansies, are actually hybrids grouped in the Viola x wittrockiana group. They belong to the Violaceae family and are most often grown as annuals or biennials,  though they are actually short-lived perennials. The 'Ultima Morpho' F1 variety produces bushy plants that quickly form compact slightly spreading clumps, 20 cm (7.9 in) high and 20 to 25 cm (7.9 - 9.8 in) wide. They bloom from late winter to late spring, or from late spring to late summer. 'Ultima Morpho' F1 pansies have open medium-sized flowers, 4 to 5 cm (1.6 - 2 in) in diameter. They have 5 petals, with the upper two being a vivid lavender-blue, and the three lower ones being lemon-yellow finely edged with light blue. Fine black "whiskers" radiate around a tiny, very bright yellow heart. The medium green leaves are elliptical and broadly crenellated.

In the garden, they are at their best in window boxes, on the windowsill, where you can have them right under your nose whilst keeping them sheltered from the cold. Try combining them with primroses, wallflowers, grape hyacinths, daisies... and even with grasses like Japanese sedge for a graphic, contemporary effect. Lovely combined with Heucheras and tulips, the blue-green of glaucous fescues also enhances them beautifully.

Pansy petals are edible, their colours will bring a touch of originality to your salads and pastries. For this, think of growing them as you would grow your own vegetables - as naturally as possible.

Note: Please be aware that our young plant plugs are professional products reserved for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant them as soon as possible, into pots, window boxes or directly into flower beds.