'Helen Mount' Viola is a charming heirloom variety beloved for its delicate tricolor blooms and resilient nature. Each petite flower features a vibrant blend of purple, yellow, and lavender blue petals that brighten garden beds, containers, and walkways. Growing just 6 to12 inches tall and spreading gently, this low growing perennial (often grown as an annual or biennial) creates a colorful carpet that blooms from early spring through fall in cooler climates. Highly attractive to bees and early season pollinators, Helen Mount is also edible, making it a delightful addition to culinary gardens.
Also known as Heart's Ease or Wild Pansy, Viola cornuta is prized for its versatility and long blooming season. 'Helen Mount' is ideal for borders, rock gardens, containers, and naturalized areas where it can selfsow and return year after year in favorable conditions. Its edible blooms make it a favorite for garnishing salads, desserts, and drinks. Companion plants include pansies, alyssum, snapdragons, and spring bulbs like tulips or daffodils, which complement its compact size and early bloom time.
'Helen Mount' Viola thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers cool temperatures with moist, welldrained soil. Hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9, it can bloom through winter in mild climates and reseeds easily for naturalized charm. What sets 'Helen Mount' apart is its heirloom reliability, cold-hardiness, and ability to bloom through seasonal transitionsmaking it a standout choice for vibrant, low maintenance color nearly year-round.
In the North, sow seed indoors in cool, bright conditions about 6 to 8 weeks prior to setting out. Water sparingly until plugs are fully rooted. The plants thrive in cool weather and tolerate light frost or cold night temperatures. Acclimatize them outdoors 7 to 10 days prior to transplanting. In the South, plants can be grown for fall and winter flowering. Sow seed indoors in midsummer, 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting into the garden after the cooler weather arrives.
If you plan to start your seeds indoors, be sure to check out our Bio Dome Seed Starter Kit. With the Bio Dome, you can control the temperature, light, and soil mix to ensure your seeds become strong for transplant.
