Hybrid

Floral Power Plum Antique

Viola cornuta

a bunch of pink flowers that are in a vase

Wikimedia Commons via Viola cornuta

Abundant, lightly fragrant, 1 1/2" blooms are a blend of plum, rose, mauve, and gold. Overwinters well in our unheated tunnel (Zone 5) from a fall planting, yielding 12-20" long stems under those conditions. Plants produce abundant stems that tend to be a little thinner at harvest compared to varieties like the Nature™ series. Also known as pansy, Johnny jump-up, European field pansy, heart's ease, and hybrid 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

📏

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 Floral Power Plum Antique in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Floral Power Plum Antique · Zones 6–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining loam or amended clay with 2-3 inches of compost mixed in; slightly acidic to neutral

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; avoid waterlogging

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorSubtle wintergreen flavor, very mild with no pronounced taste; primarily ornamental with subtle culinary interest

ColorPlum, rose, mauve, and gold blend

Size1 1/2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
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	—
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	—

Succession Planting

Floral Power Plum Antique is a hybrid annual that blooms continuously once established rather than producing a single harvestable crop, so strict succession sowing isn't necessary. That said, if you want uninterrupted color from spring through fall, start a second round of seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your first expected frost date. The first planting — transplanted out in April or May in zone 7 — tends to fade or go leggy by midsummer once daytime highs push past 85°F consistently. A second round started in July can go out in late August and carry color well into November.

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

Floral Power Plum Antique reaches harvest at 60 - 70 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1 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

Fresh-cut Floral Power Plum Antique stems last 7-10 days in a cool room with fresh water changed every 2-3 days. Store cut arrangements in a refrigerator (35-40°F) overnight to extend vase life; remove them an hour before display to acclimate to room temperature. For edible flowers, refrigerate unwashed in a paper towel-lined container for up to 3 days.

Preserve flowers through candying: Paint petals with lightly beaten egg white or gum arabic solution, coat with superfine sugar, and dry on parchment paper for 24-48 hours in a warm, dry location. Store candied flowers in an airtight container with parchment between layers for up to 6 months. Alternatively, dry whole flower heads by hanging small bunches upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks. Store dried flowers in airtight containers away from light and moisture.

History & Origin

Floral Power Plum Antique is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: France and Spain

Advantages

+Abundant blooms in beautiful plum, rose, mauve, and gold blend
+Produces 12-20 inch long stems when overwintered in tunnels
+Overwinters reliably in Zone 5 from fall planting
+Edible flowers work as decorative garnish with wintergreen flavor
+Quick 60-70 day maturity for spring and fall crops

Considerations

-Thinner harvest stems compared to Nature series varieties
-Lightly fragrant rather than strongly scented blooms

Companion Plants

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are the most practical neighbor here — their root secretions deter soil nematodes, and their scent confuses aphids that might otherwise find their way to your violas. Sweet Alyssum is another good call: it tops out around 6-8 inches, stays at the same visual layer as Floral Power Plum Antique, and draws parasitic wasps that work through small soft-bodied pest populations. Catmint and Lavender both emit volatile oils that discourage aphids and spider mites — relevant because this viola can pick up mite pressure once temperatures climb and rain drops off. Chives pull similar duty and take up almost no bed space.

Black Walnut is the one to avoid seriously: juglone, the compound that leaches from its roots and leaf debris, suppresses a wide range of ornamentals, and Viola cornuta isn't tolerant of it. Fennel causes problems through a different mechanism — anethole and related compounds it releases into the surrounding soil tend to slow the growth of nearby plants — and there's no practical reason to put it anywhere near a mixed flower bed.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial predatory insects

Lavender

Deters pests like moths and beetles, attracts pollinators, and complements purple-toned flowers

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control garden pests

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from main plants

Chives

Repel aphids and other soft-bodied insects while attracting beneficial pollinators

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and provide structural support without competing for nutrients

Catmint

Deters ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting bees and other beneficial pollinators

Zinnia

Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that prey on common garden pests

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

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

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby flowering plants

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic root secretions

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Minimal pest pressure; occasional slugs, spider mites in very dry conditions

Diseases

Root rot in waterlogged soil; occasional powdery mildew in humid conditions with poor air circulation

Troubleshooting Floral Power Plum Antique

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

Stems collapsing at soil level, lower foliage turning brown and mushy

Likely Causes

Root rot (Pythium spp. or Phytophthora spp.) from waterlogged or poorly drained soil
Overwatering, especially in containers without drainage holes

What to Do

1.Pull the affected plant — soggy roots won't recover, and leaving it risks spreading to neighbors
2.Improve drainage before replanting: work in perlite or coarse grit, or raise the bed 4-6 inches
3.Water only when the top inch of soil is dry; Viola cornuta wants consistent moisture, not wet feet

White powdery coating spreading across leaves, usually starting mid-season when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — thrives when humidity is high but leaf surfaces are dry, and airflow is poor
Plants spaced tighter than 12 inches, which cuts air movement between them

What to Do

1.Thin or remove crowded stems to open up airflow — don't wait until the whole plant is coated
2.Spray affected foliage with a diluted neem oil solution (2 tsp per quart of water) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading
3.Water at the base, not overhead, and do it in the morning so foliage dries before evening

Irregular ragged holes in leaves and flowers, worse after wet nights or early morning

Likely Causes

Slug feeding (Deroceras reticulatum is the most common culprit in garden beds)
Moist, mulch-heavy soil giving slugs daytime cover near the crowns

What to Do

1.Set out a few shallow dishes of beer near the plants at dusk — slugs drop in and drown
2.Apply food-grade diatomaceous earth around the base of plants after a dry stretch; reapply after rain
3.Pull back any thick mulch within 3 inches of the stems so slugs lose their hiding spots

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Floral Power Plum Antique take to flower from seed?▼

Germination occurs in 7-14 days under proper cool conditions (65-70°F with light exposure). Flowering begins 60-70 days after sowing. Starting seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your desired planting date gives you transplant-ready seedlings, with blooms appearing 4-6 weeks after outdoor planting, depending on temperature and light.

Can you grow Floral Power Plum Antique in containers?▼

Yes, this variety performs well in containers at least 8-10 inches deep with drainage holes. Space plants 12 inches apart in larger containers to prevent overcrowding. Container growing actually aids cool-season performance—you can move pots to shadier locations during summer heat or into protected structures for winter extension. Ensure consistent moisture, as containers dry faster than ground beds.

Is Floral Power Plum Antique good for beginners?▼

Absolutely. This hybrid is rated easy-to-grow with minimal pest and disease pressure. Seeds germinate reliably, seedlings transplant without fussiness, and established plants require only basic deadheading and consistent watering. Its natural cold-hardiness means it's forgiving if you miss an early season opportunity—fall planting is often more reliable than spring.

What's the difference between Floral Power Plum Antique and Nature™ series pansies?▼

The primary trade-off is stem thickness. Nature™ series produces thicker, sturdier stems better suited to heavy commercial arrangements. Floral Power Antique compensates with superior abundance—more stems overall per plant—and exceptional winter hardiness in cold tunnels. The sophisticated multi-tone coloring of Antique also differs from Nature™'s typically solid-color palette.

When should I plant Floral Power Plum Antique for winter harvest?▼

In Zone 5 and colder, start seeds in late May through June for planting in July-August. This timing allows root establishment before frost while plants are still manageable size. Plants will overwinter in unheated tunnels, producing blooms from late fall through early spring. In zones 7-9, fall planting (August-September) allows spring and early-summer harvest without summer heat stress.

Can you eat the flowers from Floral Power Plum Antique?▼

Yes, the flowers are fully edible with a subtle wintergreen flavor. Rinse gently and use fresh as decorative garnishes for salads, desserts, and cocktails. They're particularly striking candied—paint with egg white, dust with superfine sugar, and dry 24-48 hours. Candied flowers store 6+ months in airtight containers and add elegant decoration to cakes and pastries.