Plant of the Week: Viola

Shy little violas are familiar as winter bedding plants, flowering stoically (and prettily) through the coldest months. But did you know there are summer violas too, every bit as dainty as their winter cousins?

Perennial violas are little beauties with deliciously scented flowers. They make fantastic ground cover, spreading merrily to make a flowery carpet at the feet of roses and other shrubs all summer. And there’s such a wonderful array of colours to choose from, with violas in pure white, lilac, mauve and yellow to bicoloured, striped or splashed. Try displaying your favourites in matching clay pots on shelves at eye level to fully appreciate their charms.