Viola ‘Mrs Lancaster’

Description

Viola ‘Mrs Lancaster’ is a charming, low-growing perennial that produces a profusion of delicate flowers over an extended season, making it an excellent choice for borders, containers, rock gardens, and woodland-style planting.

PLANTING and AFTERCARE GUIDE

Best Planting Time

• Spring: Plant Viola ‘Mrs Lancaster’ in spring when the soil is workable and beginning to warm, allowing roots to establish before active growth.
• Early Autumn: Early autumn is also an ideal planting time, giving the root system time to settle before dormancy.

Site Selection

• Sunlight: Viola ‘Mrs Lancaster’ thrives in full sun or partial shade. A position with morning sun and light afternoon shade helps prolong flowering.
• Soil: Fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil enriched with compost or well-rotted organic matter provides the best growing conditions.

Planting Instructions

1. Prepare the Hole: Dig a hole twice the width and the same depth as the root ball so the roots have room to spread.
2. Soil Preparation: Mix compost or organic matter into the excavated soil to improve fertility and moisture retention while maintaining good drainage.
3. Planting: Position Viola ‘Mrs Lancaster’ with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, then backfill gently and firm lightly.
4. Watering After Planting: Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and encourage rapid root establishment.

Watering Requirements

• Growing Season: Keep the soil evenly moist during active growth, particularly while the plant is becoming established.
• Dormant Season: Reduce watering as growth slows, but do not allow the soil around Viola ‘Mrs Lancaster’ to dry out completely.

Feeding

• Spring: Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to encourage healthy foliage and abundant flowers.
• Mid-Season: A light supplementary feed will help Viola ‘Mrs Lancaster’ continue flowering over a longer period.

Pruning

• Deadheading: Remove faded blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering and maintain a neat appearance.
• Seasonal Care: Trim away damaged or tired foliage to encourage fresh, healthy growth.

Mulching

• Spring: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil quality.
• Later in the Year: Replenish mulch as needed while keeping it clear of the crown to maintain healthy growing conditions.

Supporting the Plant

• Natural Habit: Viola ‘Mrs Lancaster’ forms a naturally compact mound and does not require staking or additional support.

Final Tips

Viola ‘Mrs Lancaster’ is a reliable, low-maintenance perennial that brings long-lasting colour and charm to a wide range of garden settings. With fertile, well-drained soil, regular watering, and routine deadheading, Viola ‘Mrs Lancaster’ will provide an abundance of beautiful blooms year after year.