The Fast-Growing Flower That Attracts Butterflies And Thrives In Pots

Gardeners often chase plants with multiple charms. Some want quick growers, while others are drawn to plants with flowers that attract pollinators, or those that thrive in pots. And of course, some want a plant that offers it all. If that sounds like you, you should definitely check out 'Fairyland' petite violas (Viola x wittrockiana 'Fairyland'). Though technically a perennial, they are often grown as annuals and are known for their ability to tolerate frost and produce abundant flowers of many colors — yellow, purple, white, blue, and pink. They bloom from spring until early summer, and their flowers attract butterflies. Oh, and fun fact — they are edible too. So if you like a wintergreen taste, you should try using them to garnish your dishes.

The best part? You don't even need a garden or backyard to grow these beautiful plants. 'Fairyland' petite violas are small and compact. They grow only about 4 to 5 inches tall, and they thrive beautifully in pots. The key is choosing the right container. They need well-drained soil, so make sure you get a container with drainage holes. If you don't have pots with drainage holes, you can just add drainage holes to your plant pots on your own. It's pretty easy. Then, all you have to do is make sure you plant and space them right, and these fast-growing flowers will germinate in 14 to 21 days and will also be ready to transplant in no time.

'Fairyland' petite violas can be started indoors from seed in spring, and there are many good companies to buy your garden seeds from. Just make sure to plant the seeds eight to 10 weeks before the last frost. If the spring planting window has already passed, you can also sow them in early fall, from August to September. Just keep in mind that these fall plantings will need to overwinter, and they won't bloom until the next spring. 

When sowing seeds in pots, maintain a spacing of about 1 inch between seeds, and bury them about ¼ inch deep. Then, keep the soil moist, and wait for the seedlings to come out. Once the seedlings are tall enough to handle easily, transplant them into larger and deeper pots, spacing each plant about 4 to 5 inches apart. Next, gradually harden off your plants to the outdoor setting. This process usually takes about seven to 10 days and involves slowly exposing your indoor-started plants to the outdoors, increasing the time they spend outside a little each day.

Once the 'Fairyland' petite violas are fully ready to move outside, choose a sunny spot to place the pots. Also, make sure to keep the soil consistently moist. You can even automate your plant watering by installing an individual drip irrigation system to help maintain steady soil moisture without much effort. Lastly, make sure to feed your plants. Violas are heavy feeders, so make sure to fertilize them with a water-soluble fertilizer every one to three weeks.