Viola 'Back to Black

Dark as twilight and rich with velvet depth, Back to Black Viola brings a dramatic hush to the garden. Its blooms open in shades of inky plum and near-black, the petals catching light just enough to reveal subtle undertones of wine and aubergine. Small yet commanding, each flower feels intimate and luxurious—like crushed velvet or ink spilled across silk.

This viola is a master of contrast, elevating softer hues and grounding brighter palettes with ease. Tuck it beside blush snapdragons for a striking interplay of light and shadow, or pair with pale calendulas to let its darkness glow. Refined, mysterious, and endlessly expressive, Back to Black is proof that sometimes the quietest blooms leave the strongest impression.

DETAILS:

QTY: 100

TYPE: Hardy Annual

SITE: Sun/Part Shade

DEPTH: BARELY COVER

GERMINATION: 10 - 21 days at 18 - 25°C

HEIGHT: Varies

MATURITY: 95 - 110 Days

SPACING: 6 - 9”

HOW TO GROW:

• Transplant (Recommended): * Timing: For spring blooms, sow indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost. For fall blooms, sow in mid-summer.

  • Sowing: Viola seeds require total darkness to germinate; cover trays with a black plastic dome or thick paper until sprouts appear.

  • Care: Once germinated, move to a cool, bright location. Grow seedlings at 10-15°C to prevent legginess.

  • Outdoors: Harden off and transplant into the garden once the soil can be worked. They can tolerate a light frost.

   

• Direct Seed:

  • Timing: Sow directly into the garden in early spring or late summer.

  • Care: Keep the area consistently moist and shaded until germination occurs. Thin seedlings to 15–20 cm (6–8") apart.

Soil, Fertilizing, and Watering

• Soil Preference: Prefers rich, moist, and well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal.

• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting time. For plants in containers, use a liquid fertilizer every 2–4 weeks during the blooming season.

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Violas have relatively shallow roots and can dry out quickly during hot spells.

 Maintenance and Tips

• Light: Thrives in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, afternoon shade is essential to prevent the plants from wilting or going dormant.

• Deadheading: Regularly deadhead (remove spent flowers) to encourage continuous blooming and prevent the plant from putting energy into seed production.

• Pruning: If plants become "leggy" or stop blooming in the heat of summer, cut them back by half to encourage a fresh flush of growth and flowers when cooler weather returns.