Queen Charlotte Violet Viola 'Königin Charlotte' (Vt)
ABOUT
The Viola 'Königin Charlotte', commonly known as Queen Charlotte pansy, boasts a delightful display of color and form. Its heart-shaped leaves provide a lush, green backdrop for the striking flowers that emerge in the growing season. These blooms are particularly noted for their large size and a captivating palette that includes shades of violet and lavender with a slight gradation of colors. The petals often feature a delicate face pattern which is a darker tone, creating a beautiful contrast against the lighter background color of the blossom. The flowers have a velvety texture and round, overlapping petals that contribute to their charming appearance. The center of each flower is marked by a small, yellow eye, accentuating the pansy's cheerful and expressive "face." This plant is noted for its resilience and is often prized for the prolonged flowering period it provides, with blooms appearing generously throughout its blooming season.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Queen Charlotte Violet, Königin Charlotte Pansy
Common names
Viola 'Königin Charlotte'
ToxicityTo humans
The common name for Viola 'Königin Charlotte' is Queen Charlotte violet. These plants are generally considered non-toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of the plant usually does not result in poisoning or adverse effects. Therefore, there are no expected symptoms of poisoning from the Queen Charlotte violet since it is not considered a poisonous plant to humans.
To pets
The common name for Viola 'Königin Charlotte' is Queen Charlotte violet. This plant is also generally considered non-toxic to pets, including cats and dogs. Ingestion of the plant should not cause poisoning or serious health issues. Consequently, there are no specific symptoms of poisoning expected in pets from consuming parts of the Queen Charlotte violet. However, individual pets might experience mild gastrointestinal upset if they ingest a large amount of the plant due to the non-digestible nature of some plant components.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Varies
Height
6-10 inches (15-25 cm)
Spread
6-10 inches (15-25 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Adds visual appeal to gardens with its vibrant and colorful flowers.
- Hardiness: Adaptable to a variety of climates and can withstand cooler temperatures.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for busy gardeners.
- Breeding Parent: Useful in plant breeding programs to develop new varieties with desirable traits.
- Attracts Pollinators: Invites beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, supporting biodiversity.
- Extended Blooming Season: Offers a long flowering period from spring to fall.
- Ground Cover: Can be used to fill in bare spots in the garden, helping to prevent weeds.
- Edible Flowers: Blossoms are edible and can be used in salads or as garnishes, enhancing culinary presentations.
- Compact Growth: Suitable for small spaces, containers, and hanging baskets due to its compact habit.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Edible Flowers: The flowers of Viola 'Königin Charlotte' can be used in culinary preparations to add color and a mild, floral flavor to salads, desserts, and drinks.
- Natural Fabric Dye: The petals of the Viola 'Königin Charlotte' can be boiled to create a natural dye for fabrics, imparting soft violet hues to textiles.
- Viola Syrup: The blossoms can be steeped in hot water with sugar to create a violet-flavored syrup that can be used in cocktails or as a drizzle over desserts.
- Candied Violets: The flowers can be brushed with egg whites, coated with fine sugar, and dried to create candied violets for decorating cakes and pastries.
- Flower Pressing: Viola 'Königin Charlotte' flowers are ideal for pressing and can be used in craft projects such as making bookmarks, greeting cards, or framed botanical art.
- Ice Cubes: Frozen violas in ice cubes can add an elegant touch to beverages, especially springtime cocktails or fancy lemonades.
- Viola Butter: The flowers can be mixed into softened butter to create an aromatic and visually appealing spread for bread, scones, or pancakes.
- Flower Arrangement: These flowers can provide an attractive addition to small, delicate flower arrangements and can be used in wearable floral accessories like corsages or boutonnieres.
- Sachets and Potpourri: Dried Viola flowers can be used to make sweet-smelling sachets or added to potpourri mixes for a natural, gentle fragrance in the home.
- Photography: Viola 'Königin Charlotte' provides a vibrant subject for botanical photography due to its distinctive color and classic form, which can be utilized by artists and photographers.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant_name is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant_name is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Modesty - The violet, including Viola 'Königin Charlotte', often symbolizes modesty due to its small and unassuming flowers which can be overshadowed by more showy plants.
- Faithfulness - Violets have been a symbol of faithfulness and constancy, perhaps because they return each year with little fanfare or demand.
- Spiritual Wisdom - In the language of flowers, violets can represent spiritual wisdom, humility and an inward turn of focus.
- Innocence - The delicate nature of the violet is often associated with purity and innocence.
- Affection - Giving a bouquet of violets can signify a token of affection towards someone.
- Remembrance - Violets are also associated with keeping someone in your thoughts, symbolizing sentimentality and remembrance.
WaterTo properly water a Queen Charlotte Pansy, it should be hydrated when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, which typically equates to watering once or twice a week depending on climate conditions. Use lukewarm water, gently soaking the soil until water runs through the drainage holes—this might be about half a gallon for outdoor plants and a few ounces for smaller, indoor pots. During hot, dry periods, watering frequency should increase, but always avoid waterlogged soil to prevent root rot. During the winter, reduce watering as the plant requires less moisture due to cooler temperatures and dormancy.
LightQueen Charlotte Pansies thrive best in partial to full sunlight, meaning they should receive 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. A spot that provides morning sunlight and afternoon shade is ideal, as it prevents the plant from getting too hot during the warmest part of the day. However, if grown in a very hot climate, they may benefit from more shade to protect them from intense midday sun.
TemperatureQueen Charlotte Pansies prefer cooler temperatures and can tolerate a range from 40°F to 65°F. They can survive short periods of colder snaps as low as 20°F but should not be exposed to prolonged harsh frosts. The ideal temperature conditions for vigorous growth are between 45°F and 60°F.
PruningPruning Queen Charlotte Pansies is important to promote bushy growth and to encourage more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to divert the plant's energy to producing new blooms. Light pruning can be done in early spring or fall to shape the plant and remove any leggy or damaged stems. It's best to avoid heavy pruning as this can stress the plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilQueen Charlotte Pansies thrive in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5. For the best soil mix, combine equal parts of loam, peat moss, and perlite or sand to ensure good aeration and moisture retention.
RepottingQueen Charlotte Pansies should be repotted annually to replenish soil nutrients and to accommodate growth. Gently transition them to a slightly larger pot each spring, before the growing season.
Humidity & MistingQueen Charlotte Pansies prefer moderate humidity levels. They do well in typical outdoor ambient humidity, ranging from 40 to 60 percent, without the need for special adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with cool temps.
Outdoor
Full to partial sun, protect from extreme heat.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of the Viola 'Königin Charlotte', commonly known as the Queen Charlotte Pansy, begins with seed germination, which typically occurs in the cool, early spring or fall months. After germination, the plant enters a vegetative stage, establishing a rosette of leaves and developing a root system. As the pansy matures, it enters the flowering stage, producing distinctive velvety flowers with a broad range of colors and a central blotch, which can occur multiple times throughout the year, especially in milder climates. Once pollinated, the flowers produce seeds, allowing the pansy to propagate and complete its reproductive cycle. In regions with cold winters, the Queen Charlotte Pansy may go dormant, losing its above-ground parts and surviving with its root system, to re-emerge and grow again in spring. The pansy's lifespan is generally treated as an annual or biennial, though it can persist longer in favorable conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The popular method for propagating the Viola 'Königin Charlotte', commonly known as Queen Charlotte Viola, is through seed sowing. Viola seeds can be sown in late winter or early spring, typically around 8-12 weeks before the last expected frost. They should be lightly covered with soil as they require darkness to germinate. The optimal temperature for germination is between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 degrees Celsius). The seeds usually germinate within 14 to 21 days. Once the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves, they can be transplanted outside after the danger of frost has passed.
