Has grown in my garden every year since we moved in 9 years ago, and I have never planted it. The previous owners were not gardeners, so it must have blown in or had its seeds deposited by birds. It is a welcome visitor each spring. Not invasive like violets, and very early bloomer. Plant disappears as weather heats up, but reseeds reliably.

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Common European wild flower, growing as an annual or short-lived perennial.

Known as the Johnny Jump Up (though this name is also applied to similar species such as the Yellow Pansy). It is the progenitor of the cultivated Pansy, and is therefore sometimes called Wild Pansy; before the cultivated Pansies were developed, "Pansy" was an alternative name for the wild form.

It can creep and hoist itself (ramping) as much as a meter into a dense tangle of other growth.

They are hermaphrodite and self-fertile, pollinated by bees. Flowers have been used to make yellow, green and and blue/green dyes.
Reseeds readily.

The plant, especially the flowers, contain antioxidants and are edible.

The first year I planted seed they were all the normal tricolor. Over the years as they have reseeded they have had different combinations of the three colors.

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One year I planted 24 of these. In a couple of days, one or more wild rabbits ate all of them down to the ground and they never grew and/or bloomed again. I'd like to plant them again, but if I do, I'd have to plant them into a tall container to keep the rabbits from getting to them.

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Only plant these in full sun in zones/areas with cool summers. In warmer climates, give them some shade and keep them out of the path of strong, drying winds.

Viola tricolor is very frost tolerant and prefers cool, moist conditions. Provide rich, moist well-drained soil. A mulch is often helpful. Deadheading can help prolong blooming. Self-seeds.

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