Pansy Viola 'Belmont Blue' (C)
ABOUT
Viola 'Belmont Blue' is a charming perennial plant with striking features that make it a favorite for gardeners and floral enthusiasts. This plant is known for its lush foliage and stunning flowers. The leaves are usually a deep green color and have a rounded to heart-shaped appearance, with a somewhat velvety texture. The most captivating aspect of Viola 'Belmont Blue' is undoubtedly its flowers. These blossoms are a rich, vibrant blue, which can sometimes have a slight purple tint depending on the light. Each flower consists of five rounded petals that often have a slightly overlapping aspect, giving them a full, luxurious look. The center of the flowers typically has a small, delicate yellow to white eye, which creates a lovely contrast against the blue petals and draws in pollinators. The blooms are generously produced and can cover the plant, creating a sea of blue during its blooming period. Overall, Viola 'Belmont Blue' has a lush, compact appearance that is ideal for adding a splash of color to any garden setting.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Violaceae
Synonyms
Belmont Blue Violet
Common names
Viola 'Belmont Blue'
ToxicityTo humans
The Belmont Blue viola is not known to be toxic to humans. However, it is always advisable to avoid ingesting plants unless you are certain they are safe to eat. Ingesting parts of ornamental plants can sometimes lead to gastrointestinal discomfort as a general precautionary consequence, even if the plant is not specifically toxic.
To pets
The Belmont Blue viola is generally considered non-toxic to pets. If a pet were to ingest a large amount of the plant, it might experience mild gastrointestinal upset due to the unusual matter in its diet, but no severe toxicity is expected.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
6 inches (15 cm)
Spread
12 inches (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Flowers: Viola 'Belmont Blue' produces beautiful, blue-purple flowers that add a vibrant splash of color to garden spaces.
- Long Blooming: This plant has a long blooming period, often flowering from early spring to late fall.
- Easy to Grow: It is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance, which is ideal for beginner gardeners.
- Cold Tolerant: The plant is quite hardy and can tolerate colder temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of climates.
- Ground Cover: It can be used as a ground cover because of its spreading habit, which can help reduce weed growth.
- Attracts Pollinators: Its flowers attract butterflies and other beneficial pollinators, promoting biodiversity in the garden.
- Edible Flowers: The blooms are edible and can be used in salads or as decorative garnishes, adding an unexpected element to culinary dishes.
- Container Gardening: It is well-suited to container gardening, allowing those with limited space to enjoy its ornamental qualities.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Flower Pressing: The delicate flowers of Viola 'Belmont Blue' can be pressed and used in crafts such as card making, scrapbooking, or creating botanical artwork.
- Culinary Garnish: The edible flowers add a splash of color and a mild, sweet flavor when used to garnish salads, desserts, or drinks.
- Natural Dyes: The petals of the Viola 'Belmont Blue' can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, yarns, or papers.
- Scented Sachets: Dried flowers can be placed into small pouches to create scented sachets for drawers or closets.
- Flower Syrups: The blooms can be infused into syrups that impart their flavor and color into cocktails, sodas, or culinary recipes.
- Photography: The unique blue hue and aesthetic of the flowers make them an excellent subject for botanical photography.
- Holiday Decorations: Live or dried flowers can be incorporated into holiday wreaths, ornaments, or centerpieces.
- Ice Cubes: Freeze the small flowers into ice cubes for an elegant and colorful touch to drinks at special events.
- Perfumery: Though not common, the floral scent could be used as inspiration for natural perfumes or scented oils.
- Crafting Confetti: Dried petals can be used as biodegradable confetti for events like weddings or garden parties.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe pansy is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe pansy is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Innocence: Violas are often associated with innocence due to their small and delicate appearance.
- Modesty: The modest size and demeanor of pansies like the 'Belmont Blue' reflect the virtue of modesty.
- Spiritual Wisdom: In the language of flowers, violas can signify thoughtful contemplation and spiritual wisdom.
- Remembrance: These flowers are sometimes used to remember loved ones, possibly because they are perennials and return each year.
- Love: Mythology often ties violas to love, and they can symbolize a lover's fondness or a love that is hidden due to their habit of nodding heads.
WaterPansies like the Viola 'Belmont Blue' need to be watered regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your pansies with about 1 inch of water per week, adjusting for rainfall, ensuring that you're not overwatering. During hotter, drier weeks, you might need to water every couple of days. It's best to water them early in the morning or late in the afternoon to reduce evaporation and give the plant time to dry before the cooler evening temperatures, which can help prevent fungal diseases.
LightPansies such as the Viola 'Belmont Blue' thrive in full to partial sun. These plants benefit from at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, so placing them in a spot where they can get plenty of morning light with some afternoon shade is ideal to prevent them from getting too hot.
TemperaturePansies, including the Viola 'Belmont Blue', prefer cooler temperatures and can even tolerate light frosts. They flourish in temperatures ranging from 40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit but can survive temperatures as low as the high 20s and as high as the low 80s. The ideal temperature range for pansies is from 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
PruningViola 'Belmont Blue' pansies benefit from deadheading, which involves removing faded or spent flowers to encourage more blooms and extend the flowering period. Light pruning or pinching off leggy stems can also help maintain a compact, bushy shape. Prune regularly throughout the blooming season, and the best time for comprehensive pruning is in the cooler parts of the day, either morning or late afternoon.
CleaningAs needed
SoilPansies prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 5.4 and 5.8. For the best soil mix for Pansy 'Belmont Blue', combine two parts peat moss, one part vermiculite, and one part compost to ensure a rich, fertile blend that allows for proper drainage and aeration.
RepottingPansy 'Belmont Blue' typically doesn't require frequent repotting as it is often grown as an annual. If grown as a perennial, repot every 1-2 years to refresh the soil and provide room for growth.
Humidity & MistingPansy 'Belmont Blue' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels and does well in the average humidity found outdoors. Indoors, it does not require any special humidity adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Pansy 'Belmont Blue' in bright, indirect light indoors.
Outdoor
Plant Pansy 'Belmont Blue' in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
Life cycleViola 'Belmont Blue', commonly known as Pansy, begins its life as a seed which germinates to produce a small seedling with characteristic heart-shaped foliage. The seedling stage involves the development of a robust root system and the formation of true leaves. As it grows into a mature plant, it develops a compact bushy habit with bright, velvety blue flowers that have a distinct face pattern. Pansies typically bloom in the cool seasons of spring and fall, enduring mild frosts but not extreme winter cold. After blooming, the pansy will set seed, completing its reproductive cycle. If conditions are not too harsh, pansies can behave as short-lived perennials, returning for several seasons before they eventually decline and need replacement.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Viola 'Belmont Blue', commonly known as pansy, can be propagated through seed sowing. The most popular method of propagation for this plant is to sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost. To do this, spread the seeds on the surface of a well-drained seed starting mix, lightly pressing them into the soil. Ensure consistent moisture and cover the container with a plastic wrap to maintain humidity. The ideal temperature for germination is around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 21 degrees Celsius). Once the seeds sprout, remove the plastic and keep the seedlings under bright, indirect light until they are strong enough to be transplanted outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
