Heirloom

Brush Strokes

Viola cornuta

Photo: Erick Vélez Sánchez · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY 4.0)

Cheerful faces sparkle in shades of apricot, gold, peach, lavender, plum, purple, and cream. You could spend hours gazing at the intricate patterning of the petals and their varied splashes, flecks, and stripes of color. Each plant seems to produce a unique color combination. Not selected for a short, mounding plant habit like most modern cultivars, this mix yields taller, more vigorous plants in a range of heights. Sweetly fragrant. Bloom size: 1 1/2-2 1/2".Overwinters well in our (Zone 5) unheated tunnel, yielding 12-18" stems that are perfect for mixing into early spring bouquets.Also known as pansy, Johnny jump-up, European field pansy, and horned violet. Edible Flowers: Decorative and edible garnish for salads and desserts with slight wintergreen flavor. While a popular choice for brightening up salad mix, the flowers are also good for candying.

Harvest

60-70d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

6–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-9 inches

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Brush Strokes in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Brush Strokes · Zones 6–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-12 inches

SoilWell-drained, moderately fertile soil; tolerates poor soil conditions

WaterRegular moisture; consistent watering without waterlogging

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorApricot, gold, peach, lavender, plum, purple, and cream

Size1 1/2-2 1/2".

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

In zone 7, start seeds indoors under lights around February 15th and plan a second sow 3 weeks later, around March 7th. Transplant the first batch out in early April once nights stay reliably above 40°F; the second batch follows in late April. Staggering like this stretches your bloom window through May and into June before heat shuts things down. Once daytime highs are consistently hitting 80°F, Brush Strokes violas stop blooming well and start getting leggy — don't fight it.

Skip midsummer entirely. Direct sow again in late August for a fall flush; violas rebound once temperatures drop back below 75°F and can carry through November in most of zone 7 without any protection.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low, Medium. Propagation: Division, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Brush Strokes reaches harvest at 60 - 70 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1 1/2-2 1/2". at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

The fruit is a three valves capsule. The seeds have an oily feel and are freely dispersed by ants.

Edibility: Flowers and leaves are edible.

Storage & Preservation

Brush Strokes violas are best enjoyed fresh immediately after picking. Store cut stems in a vase with cool water in a cool room, away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit—they'll last 5-7 days. For longer preservation, press flowers between parchment paper under heavy books for 2-3 weeks to create dried specimens for crafts and arrangements. Alternatively, candy the petals by brushing with egg white, sprinkling with sugar, and drying on parchment for 24-48 hours—store in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Fresh petals can also be frozen in ice cubes with water for decorative drinks.

History & Origin

Brush Strokes is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: France and Spain

Advantages

+Unique hand-painted petal patterns make each plant visually distinctive and striking
+Taller, more vigorous growth habit provides longer stems ideal for cutting bouquets
+Sweet fragrance adds sensory appeal beyond visual beauty
+Edible flowers serve dual purpose as garnish and culinary decoration
+Overwinters reliably in Zone 5 tunnels for early spring harvests

Considerations

-Variable plant heights may require staking or support in windy locations
-Taller growth habit demands more space than compact modern pansy cultivars
-Intricate petal patterns require careful inspection for pest damage and disease

Companion Plants

French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are the most practical neighbor for Brush Strokes violas. They emit thiophenes from their roots — compounds that suppress soil nematodes — and their scent disrupts aphids looking for a landing spot. Since aphids are one of the main pests on violas, this is more than decorative. Plant them 6-8 inches apart in alternating clusters and you get pest suppression without either plant crowding the other.

Sweet alyssum and catmint pull their weight for different reasons. Alyssum draws in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that prey on aphids, which layers nicely on top of what the marigolds are already doing. Catmint (Nepeta spp.) repels both aphids and spider mites through its volatile oils, and in our zone 7 Georgia springs — where warm snaps arrive earlier than you'd like — catmint holds up through that shoulder season better than softer-stemmed companions. Nasturtiums are worth tucking in as well; they act as a trap crop, pulling aphid pressure away from the violas and concentrating it somewhere you can deal with it in one pass.

Black Walnut and Eucalyptus are the ones to keep off the same bed entirely. Black Walnut produces juglone, a compound that leaches through the soil from roots and leaf litter and stunts sensitive plants — violas are shallow-rooted enough that they'd show wilting and yellowing within a season of exposure. Eucalyptus does something similar with cineole from its decomposing leaves. Neither problem is fixable with amendments; the only real fix is distance or a different location altogether.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and hoverflies that control pests

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting nearby plants

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs naturally

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and provide good companion structure without competition

Zinnias

Attract ladybugs and other beneficial predators that control garden pests

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while being drought-tolerant companion

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Produces allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Produce allelopathic chemicals and compete aggressively for nutrients and water

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, slugs, spider mites

Diseases

Powdery mildew, root rot, leaf spot

Troubleshooting Brush Strokes

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually appearing first on older leaves as temperatures warm in late spring

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — thrives in warm days with cool nights, or in beds with poor air circulation
Crowded spacing under 6 inches, which traps moisture and cuts airflow

What to Do

1.Thin or transplant crowded plants so each viola has at least 6 inches of breathing room
2.Spray affected leaves with a diluted solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda per gallon of water — it shifts leaf surface pH enough to slow the fungus
3.If the plant is heavily infected and daytime highs are already sitting above 70°F consistently, pull it; Brush Strokes violas will decline fast in heat regardless

Ragged notches eaten from leaf edges overnight, with a silvery slime trail visible on the soil or mulch nearby in the morning

Likely Causes

Slugs (Deroceras reticulatum or similar) — especially common in mulched beds after rain or irrigation during cool, damp stretches

What to Do

1.Scatter iron phosphate bait (Sluggo is a reliable brand) around the base of plants at dusk — safe around pets and edibles
2.Pull mulch back 2-3 inches from the crowns temporarily to eliminate the damp hiding spots slugs prefer
3.Check under pots and boards nearby at night with a flashlight and remove slugs by hand if populations are high

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you grow Brush Strokes pansies in containers?▼

Yes, Brush Strokes violas thrive in containers. Use well-draining potting mix and choose a pot at least 6-8 inches deep. Space plants 4-6 inches apart in containers, and provide consistent moisture without waterlogging. Container-grown plants work excellently for patios and can be moved to protected locations during harsh winters to extend the season.

How long do Brush Strokes flowers bloom?▼

Brush Strokes violas are prolific bloomers, producing flowers for several months. In cool spring and fall conditions, they bloom abundantly from planting until hard frost. In mild climates or with protection (like an unheated tunnel), they can overwinter and resume flowering in early spring, making them a semi-continuous bloomer for 6+ months total.

Are these pansies good for beginners?▼

Absolutely. Brush Strokes pansies are classified as easy to grow and perfect for beginners. They tolerate poor soil, don't require intensive care, and adapt to various light conditions from full sun to partial shade. Their heirloom status and vigorous nature make them reliable performers even for first-time gardeners.

When should I plant Brush Strokes violas for spring blooms?▼

For spring blooms, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost, or direct sow in fall (8-10 weeks before first frost) for overwintering. Fall planting often produces better results and earlier blooms. These cold-hardy flowers germinate in cool weather (60-70°F) and establish strong roots before spring growth.

What does the Brush Strokes viola taste like?▼

Brush Strokes violas have a delicate, subtle wintergreen flavor with light floral notes. The petals are mild and slightly sweet, making them ideal edible garnishes for salads, desserts, and beverages. They add visual beauty and minimal flavor impact, making them perfect for decorative culinary applications and candied preparations.

How tall do Brush Strokes pansies grow?▼

Unlike modern dwarf cultivars, Brush Strokes produces taller, more vigorous plants ranging from 8-18 inches tall, depending on growing conditions and pruning. This height variation creates naturalistic appeal and yields substantial 12-18 inch stems ideal for cutting and arranging in early spring bouquets.