J is for…

….Johnny Jump-Ups.


While many plants struggle in this zone, at this altitude, these little guys thrive, crossbreeding and seeding out eagerly. I have intentionally planted only black violas, and orange ones in my yard, and only black ones in the areas where these photos were taken. In years past, I have had the bi-color ones creep into my yard from neighboring places. From these varieties, this is what I have this year.


Sometimes I have blooms well into very cold weather, and most often, johnny jump-ups are the first color I have in the spring. They are more common wildflowers than ‘real’ gardening plants, and I can get a bit blasé about them.


Then I see a cheerful little ‘forest’ of them, and remember what a gift they are…a free gift, but still a gift.



Johnny-Jump-Up
Viola cornuta (Violaceae) A compact annual or short-lived perennial, native to Spain and the Pyrenees Mountains. This variety has been used extensively in floral gardens and has escaped from cultivation to roadsides, fields and waste areas throughout much of the United States. The vibrant blooms are deep purple and yellow, creating a solid carpet of color for weeks. Prefers partial shade to full sun in rich, well-drained soil. (from aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu)

P.S. On my bike ride to work today, I saw a fox. On the way home, two woodpeckers!