My first encounter with viola jooi was from
the AGS seed exchange. I had no idea of the colour or
size of the flower when I ticked its name in the
catalogue. The seeds were sown in February in a 50:50
mix of compost and horticultural grit
It germinated in the spring next year – I was
pleased when I saw the lovely little flowers of
pinkish mauve appearing next March in a pot in the
alpine house.
I
have planted some plants out in a trough in an open
compost. So far they have survived the past few
winters.
Viola jooi sets a lot of seed each year. I sow some
fresh seed in July, and send the rest to the AGS seed
exchange.
Known
also as the 'Transylvanian violet', Viola jooi grows
on limestone rocks and in fissures in the Carpathian
mountains in Romania (and there is a small
population with white flowers in Serbia).
It
makes a very good show plant for the spring shows
