gentianoides—This species has clusters of gleaming leaves close to the ground. And in June the flowers are very large, a luscious Wedgwood blue. But there are alarming reports that it has topped twenty inches in height. To play safe, try the miniature version nana, which has the same characteristics but is much less than half that high.
repens—This is a precious pet, a massy creeper with tiny teardrop leaves. It sparkles in May or June with baby-blue flowers. It is all of two inches tall at maturity.
spicata nana—The midget reproduction of the better-known species, slowly swelling to low, leafy clumps and topped with three-inch spikes of blue-purple flowers in July. A white-flowering form has smaller leaves but taller flower stems.
CARE. Any good soil. Moist but with drainage. Sun or light shade depending on the variety (see notations in plant descriptions). Cut back faded flowers. Trailers start best if plants were grown in pots. Divide occasionally.
PROPAGATION. Seeds in spring, division in fall or spring, cuttings early in the summer.
SPECIAL USES. Rock gardens, ground cover, dry-wall planting, pavements, steps, stepping stones.
Viola Violaceae Viola, Violet
Thanks to the viola, gardens of all sorts are richer and more pleasant places in which to work, visit, or spend a pleasant afternoon. Here are some of the viola’s gifts to gardening:
cornuta—Tufted pansies.
odorata—sweet violets—Fragrant violets, once strictly a specialty of florist shops but now widely grown in home gardens.