Closely related to pansies, violas are pretty perennials that have smaller flowers than their cousins. They come in a wide range of colours, from white to almost black, and everything in between.
 
Violas make excellent bedding plants and are ideal for pots, window boxes and hanging baskets. Recent breeding means that modern varieties can stand up to winter wind and rain, and can continue flowering right into summer. Some varieties flower almost all year round.
 
The flowers of many violas have a sweet scent and are edible – use the petals to decorate cakes, biscuits and leafy salads.