Evaluation of Viola Cultivars As Bedding Plants for Florida1

Home , Pansy, Viola (plant), Viola cornuta, Viola tricolor

Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

ENH1076

Evaluation of Viola Cultivars as Bedding Plants for Florida1

R.O. Kelly, Z. Deng, and B.K. Harbaugh2

Florida has been an important region for the have been bred with wild species of violas such as growing and testing of bedding plants. According to johnny jumpups (Viola tricolor). the USDA Floriculture Crops 2005 summary, bedding and garden plants accounted for 51 percent of the wholesale value ($2.61 billion) of all the floricultural crops reported in the United States, while Florida was ranked fifth among all the bedding plant producers in this country. Violas, grouped statistically by the USDA with pansies, were one of the top three bedding plant crops grown in flats ($111 million). Florida ranked second in the United States for the value of potted pansy/violas produced ($3.9 million). Parts of the southeastern United States, and parts of Asia, Europe, and Australia share a similar Figure 1. Viola tricolor. ©William S. Justice. Courtesy of climate with central Florida. Thus, Florida has also Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, been an important testing ground for new viola Botany. Credits: William S. Justice cultivars and other bedding plants to be grown and marketed in those regions. Unlike pansies, which have been selected for large flowers, the violas have been repeatedly Violas, also known as bedding pansies, horned back-crossed with johnny jumpups. This breeding violets, or tufted pansies, are native to Spain and the process has resulted in viola cultivars that can hold up Pyrenees Mountains (includes Andorra and southern to heat and diseases better than pansies (see EDIS Viola and southwestern France). Like pansies ( publication ENH 1031 wittrockiana Viola cornuta V. x ), violas [ and ), as observed season williamsiana x (name used by some seed companies)] after season in central Florida winter/early spring

1. This document is ENH 1076, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date October, 2007. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. R.O. Kelly, coordinator/variety trial research; Z. Deng, assistant professor; and B.K. Harbaugh, professor, Environmental Horticulture, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611. The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

Evaluation of Viola Cultivars as Bedding Plants for Florida 2 trials conducted at the University of Floridas Gulf other field was not sprayed to observe the effects of Coast Research and Education Center in Bradenton plant pests on foliage and flowers as they would (2000-2004) and Wimauma (2006), Florida. appear in a homeowners setting. Ratings were on a scale from 1 to 7 for both fields, with 7 being free There are over 150 cultivars of viola available on from any flaw, such as lack of plant or flowering the market today. Since many of these cultivars are uniformity, color fading or variability, plant lodging developed and tested in more temperate climates, will or splitting, or pest symptoms such as insect feeding these cultivars perform well in Florida, where climate scars, leaf spots or plant blights, or distortions, can be harsh at times and rife for the development of discolorations and stunting due to virus infestation; 4 plant pests? To answer this question and to select was average, but still acceptable; 1 was poor and those that can do well in Florida, we conducted five unacceptable. The ratings in both fields were taken cultivar trials between Dec. 2000 and April 2006. In three to four times during the season to show the early trials, we created classes based upon growth performance over the entire season, and then the habit (creeping vs. normal) and flower color, and ratings from both fields were combined and averaged then selected the best performing cultivar (standard) to yield an overall performance rating, which was from each class. In each subsequent trial, we used to select each class standard. compared these class “standards” with new untested entries from the major seed companies in Seed was sown in seeder trays (model P-Seed20; Europe, Japan, and the United States. Some new Landmark Plastic Corp., Akron, Ohio) and entries outperformed the standards and replaced germinated at 72-75°F in a growth room illuminated them, while some standards continued to outperform 24 hours a day with cool-white fluorescent tubes. the new entries. On occasion, an entire class would Immediately after germination, seedlings were perform poorly, while another class might contain all transplanted into Todd planter flats (model 128; good performers. Nevertheless, we chose one cultivar Speedling, Sun City, Fla.) and grown to mature, to represent each class for subsequent comparisons. non-flowering plugs (production stage: 4). Soluble This system of standards allowed us to continually liquid fertilizers (example: 15-2-20 Ca-Mg Excel®; upgrade performance without having to re-evaluate Scotts Co., Maryville, Ohio) were applied at 50 to large numbers of previously evaluated cultivars; 250 ppm (0.7 to 3.3 oz./100 gal) twice weekly. however, if a cultivar was not selected for the Low-phosphate fertilizer helped to prevent stretching. standard, but was later improved through further To encourage root development, the soil mix breeding, it could be reevaluated. (example: Vergro Container Mix A; Verlite Co. Inc., Tampa, Fla.) was kept wet (black and glistening) Field Trials and Evaluations during germination (radicle emergence; production stage: 1), and moist (black to medium brown) Each cultivar was planted in two fields. Each beginning at cotyledon expansion through the field had multiple plots (three or four) planted for development of the first true leaves (production each cultivar in different parts of the field to stage: 2 and 3). When seedlings were ready for field compensate for variations in soil pH and moisture and planting, the roots formed a firm plug; the soil mix pest infestations that might occur within different was kept alternately wet with less moisture (light parts of the field and cause differences in plant brown), which also helped to lessen plant stretching. condition between plots. Each plot contained five or six plants. To provide optimal conditions for growth, beds, fumigated with a mixture of methyl bromide and One field was sprayed (if necessary, after chloropicrin, and covered with white-on-black scouting for pests) to simulate a commercial setting polyethylene film. Plugs were transplanted into and to produce plants in the best possible condition raised ground beds 32 inches wide x 8 inches high of for measuring plant height, width and flower EauGallie fine sand (pH range = 6.2 to 6.8); one diameter, recording earliness of flowering, and week later, slow-release fertilizers [example: comparing cultivar foliage and flower quality. The Osmocote Plus® 15-9-12 (5-6 mo.) with Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

Evaluation of Viola Cultivars as Bedding Plants for Florida 3 micronutrients; The Scotts Co., Maryville, Ohio] pictures taken during the season, and more flower were applied by hand to each plant on the soil surface pictures. approximately one inch from the plant stem under the plastic mulch. Note Summary The information in this report is a summary of experimental results and does not provide From 2000 to 2006, we evaluated 80 cultivars recommendations for crop production. Where trade from 8 seed companies. The following cultivars names are used, no discrimination is intended or included those that were selected as class standards, endorsement implied. and unique cultivars without comparison (to date). All these cultivars had an overall performance rating 5.5. 'Angel Frosted Yellow Blotch', 'Angel Violet Duet', Angel Violet Blotch', 'Eryln Purple Yellow', 'Four Seasons Yellow With Pink Wing', 'Gem Antique Apricot', 'Gem Antique Lavender', 'Gem Antique Pink', 'Gem Deep Blue', 'Hobbit Bilbo', 'Hobbit Cream With Yellow Lip', 'Hobbit Frodo', 'Hobbit Pure White', 'Hobbit Sam', 'Jewel Lemon Yellow', 'Penny Azure Twilight', 'Penny Beaconsfield', 'Penny Classic Jump-Up', 'Penny Orange Jump-Up', 'Penny Orchid Frost', 'Penny Violet', 'Penny Yellow Jump-Up', 'Princess Lavender Yellow', 'Princess Purple & Gold', 'Rebel Yellow', 'Skippy Red-Gold', 'Skippy White With Violet Wing', 'Sorbet Babyface White', 'Sorbet Babyface Yellow', 'Sorbet Black Delight', 'Sorbet Coconut Swirl', 'Sparkler Purple Orange Face', 'Sparkler Purple Wing', 'Venus Light Blue', and 'Venus Purple'.

Detailed performance data of these cultivars are presented in Table 1. Pictures of each cultivar's flower are provided (Table 2). These cultivars can provide Florida growers and gardeners with a great pool of violas from which to choose for their landscaping needs. Though they do not produce gigantic flowers like pansies do, these violas can provide a great variety of color patterns or color combinations and generate large swaths of bright, vibrant colors that hold up very well to harsh conditions and to pests. Additional Information

Visit the seed-propagated bedding plant variety trials at http://vtgcrec.ifas.ufl.edu for detailed information for all viola cultivars on plant height, width, days to flower, flower divergence, flower size and individual ratings; plot and pest/pest symptom Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office.

Evaluation of Viola Cultivars as Bedding Plants for Florida 4

5.7

5.6

5.5

5.8

5.9

6.1

5.5

6.1

5.8

6.0

5.7

5.8

5.5

5.6

6.0

6.1

6.9

6.1

6.5

5.8

6.4

6.8

5.7

5.9

6.0

6.1

5.8

5.7

5.5

5.9

Overall Overall

Performance

6.7

6.8

6.2

6.5

6.1

6.5

6.7

5.4

5.8

6.6

6.0

7.0

6.9

5.3

6.4

6.7

6.2

6.8

6.4

7.0

6.9

7.0

6.8

6.9

6.3

7.0

6.5

6.3

5.9

5.4

6.7

Diseases

5.6

Pest Symptoms Pest 6.3

6.7

6.6

7.0

6.9

7.0

5.6

7.0

5.6

6.8

5.1

6.8

6.9

6.8

6.9

7.0

6.8

6.5

5.5

6.8

6.3

6.7

7.0

6.7

7.0

6.4

7.0

and and

mites

Insects Insects

4.9

4.2

3.8

5.2

4.8

5.0

5.8

4.4

5.3

5.0

4.8

5.0

5.3

5.9

5.5

4.6

6.2

6.3

5.0

6.1

6.0

6.6

4.0

5.9

5.7

5.4

4.3

4.7

5.0

4.2

Flower

5.6

Cultivar quality Cultivar 4.9

5.0

4.7

5.7

5.1

5.4

4.9

6.3

5.8

5.5

5.4

4.7

5.0

5.3

4.5

5.8

5.1

5.0

6.3

5.9

5.6

6.1

6.7

5.5

5.7

5.0

5.1

5.5

5.3

5.0

5.3

5.6

Foliage

90*

101

107

108

first first

flower

Days to to Days

1.3

1.1

1.6

1.3

1.1

1.7

1.5

1.1

1.6

1.3

1.4

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.2

1.3

1.6

1.4

0.9

1.1

1.0

1.1

1.0

1.5

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.7

dia.

Flower Flower

(inches)

Measurements Measurements

width

Plant Plant

2006

2003

2002

2003

2002

2004

2006

2002

2001

2002

2001

2003

2004

2003

2006

2003

2004

2003

2002

2003

Latest Latest

trial year year trial

evaluated

Sakata

Floranova

PanAmerican

Kieft

Ball

PanAmerican

Goldsmith Goldsmith

Goldsmith

Takii

Sahin

Takii

Sahin

Kieft

Floranova

Seed Co. Seed

Venus Purple Venus

Venus Light Blue Light Venus

Sparkler Purple Wing Purple Sparkler

Sparkler Purple Orange Face Orange Purple Sparkler

Sorbet Coconut Swirl Coconut Sorbet

Sorbet Black Delight Black Sorbet

Sorbet Babyface Yellow Babyface Sorbet

Sorbet Babyface White Babyface Sorbet

Skippy White With Violet Wing Violet With White Skippy

Skippy Red-Gold Skippy

Rebel Yellow Rebel

Princess Purple & Gold & Purple Princess

Princess Lavender Yellow Lavender Princess

Penny Yellow Jump-Up Yellow Penny

Penny Violet Penny

Penny Orchid Frost Orchid Penny

Penny Orange Jump-Up Orange Penny

Penny Classic Jump-Up Classic Penny

Penny Beaconsfield Penny

Penny Azure Twilight Azure Penny

Jewel Lemon Yellow Lemon Jewel

Hobbit Sam Hobbit

Hobbit Pure White Pure Hobbit

Hobbit Frodo Hobbit

Hobbit Cream With Yellow Lip Yellow With Cream Hobbit

Hobbit Bilbo Hobbit

Gem Antique Pink Antique Gem

Gem Antique Lavender Antique Gem

Gem Antique Apricot Antique Gem

Wing

Four Seasons Tellow w/Pink w/Pink Tellow Seasons Four

Eryln Purple Yellow Purple Eryln

Angel Violet Blotch Violet Angel

Angel Violet Duet Violet Angel

Angel Frosted Yellow Blotch Yellow Frosted Angel

Cultivar

performance ratings values for their class in winter/spring trials in Bradenton (2000-04) and Wimauma (2005-06) Florida. (2005-06) Wimauma and (2000-04) Bradenton in trials winter/spring in class their for values ratings performance

Plant and flowering characteristics and performance ratings for outstanding viola cultivars with the highest overall overall highest the with cultivars viola outstanding for ratings performance and characteristics flowering and Plant 1. Table Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office. Evaluation of Viola Cultivars as Bedding Plants for Florida 5

Table 2. Digital images of viola cultivars with the highest overall performance rating values for their class in winter/spring trials in

Bradenton (2000-04) and Wimauma (2005-06) Florida.

Class1: black Class: blue (dark) Class: blue (dark) with blotch Class: cream

‘Sorbet Black Delight’ ‘Gem Deep Blue’ ‘Hobbit Sam’ ‘Hobbit Cream With Yellow Lip’ Seed: PanAmerican Seed: Takii Seed: Sahin Seed: Sahin Class: orange with purple, red-violet cap Class: orange shades/tints Class: pink shades/tints Class: Purple (dark), blue-violet with red violet cap

‘Gem Antique Apricot’ ‘Gem Antique Pink’ Seed: Takii Seed: Takii

‘Penny Orange Jump-Up’ ‘Angel Violet Duet’ Seed: Goldsmith Seed: Floranova Class: purple (dark), blue-violet with dark eye Class: purple, blue-violet with dark eye and Class: purple, blue-violet/white/cream Class: purple, blue-violet with white and light cap light cap

‘Penny Beaconsfield’ ‘Angle Violet Blotch’ ‘Sorbet Coconut Swirl’ ‘Venus Light Blue’ Seed: Goldsmith Seed: Floranova Seed: PanAmerican Seed: Sakata Class: purple, blue-violet/yellow/white Class: purple (light), blue-violet with yellow Class: purple (light), blue violet/yellow/white Class: purple, blue-violet with yellow face and face and blotch blotch

‘Princess Lavender Yellow’ Seed: PanAmerican

‘Eryln Purple Yellow’ ‘Hobbit Frodo’ ‘Hobbit Bilbo’ Seed: Kieft Seed: Sahin Seed: Sahin Class: purple (dark), red-violet Class: purple (dark), red-violet with light Class: purple (dark), red-violet with orange Class: purple (dark), red-violet with yellow blotch eye eye

‘Penny Violet’ ‘Venus Purple’ ‘Sparkler Purple Orange Face’ ‘Princess Purple & Gold’ Seed: Goldsmith Seed: Sakata Seed: Floranova Seed: PanAmerican Class: purple, red-violet with white Class: purple, red-violet/yellow/white Class: red with gold blotch Class: white

Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office. Evaluation of Viola Cultivars as Bedding Plants for Florida 6

Class: purple, red-violet with white Class: purple, red-violet/yellow/white Class: red with gold blotch Class: white

‘Penny Orchid Frost’ ‘Gem Antique Lavender’ ‘Skippy Red-Gold’ ‘Hobbit Pure White’ Seed: Goldsmith Seed: Takii Seed: Kieft Seed: Sahin Class: white face with purple (dark), red- Class: white/yellow to blue color shift Class: white/yellow w/blotch Class: yellow violet cap

‘Skippy White With Violet Wing’ Seed: Kieft

‘Penny Azure Twilight’ ‘Sorbet Babyface White’ ‘Jewel Lemon Yellow’ Seed: Goldsmith Seed: PanAmerican Seed: Takii Class: yellow with blotch Class: yellow with blotch and blue-white cap Class: yellow with pink cap Class: yellow with purple, blue-violet cap

‘Sorbet Babyface Yellow’ ‘Angel Frosted Yellow Blotch’ ‘Four Seasons Yellow With Pink Wing’ ‘Penny Yellow Jump-Up’ Seed: PanAmerican Seed: Floranova Seed: Sahin Seed: Goldsmith Class: yellow/white face with purple (dark), Class: creeping white/yellow/purple (light) Class: creeping yellow blue-violet cap with purple (dark), blue-violet cap

‘Sparkler Purple Wing’ Seed: Floranova

‘Rebel Yellow’ ‘Penny Classic Jump-Up’ Seed: Ball Seed: Goldsmith