Viola ‘Red Blotch’ — Bold Scarlet Faces for Cool-Season Punch

Craving color that stands out on crisp days? We’ve got you. Viola ‘Red Blotch’ delivers vivid scarlet petals marked by a dramatic, velvety “blotch” around a golden eye. The look is bold yet tidy. Up close, each flower feels hand-painted. From a few steps back, the planting reads as a rich red wash with dark depth in the center. But most of all, it blooms when many plants rest—fall, winter (in mild regions), and early spring—so your beds, baskets, and bowls keep shining.

In other words, if you want easy care with head-turning color, this is it.

Why We Love ‘Red Blotch’

Pattern changes everything. The dark central blotch intensifies the red, adds dimension, and makes every bloom read clearly even on overcast days. Instead of a flat color, you get drama and contrast. We also love how dependable violas are in cool air. They shrug off light frost, bounce back after a cold snap, and push buds in waves. After more than a few seasons with them, we’ve learned a simple truth: small flowers can deliver big impact—especially when the pattern is this strong.

Where It Shines

• Front borders and edging: Low, compact mounds create a crisp ribbon of red.

• Containers and window boxes: Neat habit + nonstop blooms = instant curb appeal.

• Hanging baskets: Gentle trails lift the patterned faces to eye level.

• Bulb partners: A living frame for tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths.

• Entry accents: Two porch pots turn your doorway into a warm welcome.

Instead of scattering pots everywhere, cluster three to five containers together. Repeating the red-and-blotch look ties the space together and feels intentional.

Quick Specs

• Type: Cool-season annual (short-lived perennial in mild zones)

• Bloom Window: Fall to spring in mild climates; spring to early summer in cooler regions

• Size/Habit: About 6–8" tall × 8–12" wide; compact and branching

• Light: Full sun to part shade (offer afternoon shade as temps rise)

• Soil: Loose, well-drained, rich in organic matter

• Water: Keep evenly moist; avoid soggy roots

• Perks: Cold tolerant, container-ready, bee-friendly on mild days

Red That Plays Well With Others

Red can be fierce or friendly depending on its partners. The dark face at the center of ‘Red Blotch’ anchors bright mixes and sharpens softer colors. Try these combinations:

• Red + White: Clean, classic contrast with white alyssum or white pansies.

• Red + Yellow: Happy, high-energy mix with daffodils or yellow primrose.

• Red + Purple: Deep, moody pairing with purple violas or heuchera.

• Red + Silver: Modern calm with dusty miller or artemisia.

• Red + Chartreuse: Fresh spark with creeping Jenny or lemon-lime foliage.

Instead of mixing ten plants, pick two or three partners and repeat them across the bed. The rhythm feels smooth and designed.

Planting: A Simple Start

1. Choose the spot. Sun to part shade is ideal. In warming weather, a touch of afternoon shade keeps blooms going.

2. Prep the soil. Blend in compost for drainage and steady moisture.

3. Set spacing. Plant 8–10" apart so foliage meets at maturity for a full carpet.

4. Water in. Soak after planting to settle soil around roots.

5. Mulch lightly. A thin layer reduces splash and keeps moisture even.

Container Tips We Use

• Select pots with real drainage holes.

• Use a high-quality potting mix (not garden soil).

• Add slow-release fertilizer at planting; boost with a gentle liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.

• Rotate containers weekly for even sun and shape.

Care: Easy Steps, Big Results

• Water: Keep soil evenly moist. Not bone-dry. Not soggy.

• Feed: Light, regular feeding = more buds and longer color.

• Deadhead: Pinch off spent blooms. In other words, remove the old to invite the new.

• Shear if leggy: Trim by one-third to reset the plant; fresh growth follows fast in cool air.

• Heat note: When real heat arrives, flowering slows. Swap to summer annuals, then bring violas back in fall.

Seasonal Rhythm You Can Trust

Violas love crisp nights. In Zones 7–10, plant ‘Red Blotch’ in fall for winter-to-spring bloom. In colder zones, set plants as soon as the soil can be worked in spring. You’ll enjoy flowers until early summer warmth settles in. After more than one season, the pattern feels natural: cool season = viola season.

Design Moves That Always Look Polished

• Bulb halo: Ring tulips or daffodils with a low band of ‘Red Blotch’ for a designer finish.

• Pathway ribbon: Edge walks with a steady line that guides the eye and cleans up borders.

• Monochrome bowl: Fill a shallow bowl with all ‘Red Blotch’ to spotlight the pattern up close.

• Porch pair: Two urns with red violas and a collar of white alyssum = instant welcome.

• High-contrast trio: ‘Red Blotch’ + chartreuse foliage + silver dusty miller = balance and pop.

Companion Ideas

• Cool-season flowers: Pansies, alyssum, lobelia, nemesia

• Foliage friends: Dusty miller, lamb’s ear, heuchera, ornamental kale

• Spring bulbs: Tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinths

• Herb accents: Thyme or sage for a soft cottage feel

These partners share similar needs, so care stays simple and results stay strong.

FAQs — Quick Answers

Does ‘Red Blotch’ have fragrance?
Yes—a light, sweet scent on mild days. Gentle and pleasant.

Will pollinators visit?
Bees stop by on warmer days. The open faces are easy to land on.

Sun or shade?
Full sun to part shade. In warm regions, give afternoon shade to stretch the season.

Can I use the flowers in the kitchen?
Many gardeners use viola blooms as garnish. Only use flowers grown without chemicals and confirm edibility for your needs.

Seeds or starter plants?
Both. Starter plants give instant impact. Seeds are great for mass plantings and budget projects.

Troubleshooting: Fast Fixes

• Fewer blooms? Deadhead often and feed lightly. Check light levels.

• Yellowing leaves? Improve drainage and ease up on water.

• Plants stretching? Shear by one-third; fresh growth follows quickly in cool weather.

• Heat slump? Replace with summer annuals; replant violas when temperatures drop.

Instead of fighting the season, move with it. Violas reward that rhythm.

What You’ll Receive

Depending on timing and listing, Viola ‘Red Blotch’ is offered as robust starter plants for beds and containers or as premium seed for sowing. Either way, you start with clean, vigorous stock and that bold, patterned bloom. We focus on healthy roots and fresh growth so you can plant with confidence.

How We’d Use It This Week

Start at the front entry. Fill two containers with ‘Red Blotch’, then tuck white alyssum along the rim to echo the golden eye and brighten the mix. Edge a sunny path with the same viola for a pulled-together look. After more than a week, buds open in waves. Keep moisture steady. Snip old blooms. Enjoy the rich, red glow every time you step outside.

Scarlet Faces, Simple Wins — Plant the Drama, Love the Ease