Viola — 12 species

Violas are cool-season flowering plants that include pansies (Viola x wittrockiana), the horned violet (V. cornuta), sweet violet (V. odorata), and wild pansy (V. tricolor). They perform best in full sun to partial shade and prefer consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil — avoid letting them dry out completely. Regular deadheading prolongs the display of their cheerful, often face-marked flowers. All Viola species are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, making them a genuinely pet-friendly choice for borders, containers, and cottage gardens.