PLANT LIBRARY

Other Names:  White Hardy African Violet, Resurrection Plant

Description:

This variety is tolerant of colder climates; a stemless rosette of dark green leaves forms a mound; pretty white trumpet flowers rise over the mound in spring, up to six on a stem; protect from direct sun or drying winds; great for a trough or rockery

Ornamental Features

Virginalis Hardy African Violet features showy clusters of white trumpet-shaped flowers with yellow throats rising above the foliage from mid spring to early summer. Its serrated oval leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Virginalis Hardy African Violet is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Virginalis Hardy African Violet is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Virginalis Hardy African Violet will grow to be only 4 inches tall at maturity extending to 7 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 10 inches. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for sandy, alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species.

Virginalis Hardy African Violet is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.