Viola eizanensis
12 seeds per packet.
A woodland, perennial species that is native to Japan, with deeply dissected, green foliage and large, reddish-purple flowers in spring. Viola eizanensis is one of the parents of the highly prized cultivar ‘Benizuru’. Height 15 cm. Moist, well-drained soil in sun to part shade.
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS:
Sow from autumn to early spring. Cover seed thinly, press in gently and keep top of compost from drying out. Keep pot outdoors or in cold frame over winter. Seeds germinate in spring.
Alternatively, if seeds can’t be sown in autumn or early spring use the following method: mix seeds with damp vermiculite and place inside a ziplock bag, keep bag somewhere warm for 3 weeks, then place in fridge (not freezer) for 8 weeks. Next spread mixture on top of a pot, thinly cover with compost or grit and keep warm at 15 to 20°C until germination, then move to somewhere cooler.
Carefully prick out seedlings when they have developed true leaves and are large enough to transplant to individual pots for growing on.